The luxurious cream plush fabric of this coat, generously trimmed with heavy lace and tassels, and its enveloping bulk typify the opulence of the Edwardian era. Full bishop’s sleeves, named after the sleeves of rochets, garments worn by Anglican bishops, add to its volume that, like many outer garments of the day, is not full length. Despite its loose appearance, the coat is shaped by a high waist seam and a flared centre back seam giving the skirt a backward sweep. Garments worn beneath it would have been shaped by the corset into an unnaturally small waist and pronounced bust and hips. Its proportions were likely to have been balanced by a large hat, profusely decorated with feathers and ribbons, worn over a copious amount of real and artificial hair.