Peterson's Magazine, November 1878

 Peterson's Magazine for November 1878 shows a selection of dresses in the style of the late 1870s: close fitting (worn over long, boned corsets) to below the knees, with the bulk of the ornaments and the material pushed to the back in the form of trains.  The look is balanced by very high hair-dos and hats.  Even the "walking dress" has these features—reminding us that the outfit was intended for promenading rather than serious exercise.

FIG. I. WALKING DRESS OF OLIVE-GREEN CAMEL'S HAIR...

FIG. II. VISITING DRESS OF EMERALD GREEN VELVET...

FIG. III. VISITING DRESS OF GRAY SILK, TRIMMED WITH NARROW GARNET VELVET...

FIG. IV. RECEPTION DRESS OF YELLOW SILK, PRINCESS SHAPE; worn under a dress or black Spanish net which is woven to fit the figure.

FIG. V. CARRIAGE DRESS OF SLATE-GRAY SILK...

Number 4 strikes me as being the most interesting garment of the lot.  It's curve-hugging silhouette and plunging neckline could almost be from Hollywood circa 1950!