19th century fashion empire hi res stock photography and images Alamy Rate the Dress: Empire Era Details The Dreamstress Afternoon dress. Culture: American. Date: 1850 55. The female silhouette of the middle of the 19th century consisted of a fitted corseted bodice and wide full skirts. The conical skirts developed between the 1830s, when the high waist of the Empire silhouette American fashions, 1895 Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century Claremont Colleges Digital Library