"A Snowy Afternoon" (Peterson's Magazine, February 1878)

Although this plate is captioned "A Snowy Afternoon" it in fact depicts garments meant to be worn at different times of the day.

For those who could afford to change clothes several times a day, the general rule was the later the hour, the more formal the costume.  The outfits above would have most probably been worn for afternoon visits and evening parties.  From left to right we have a

• Walking costume of green camel's-hair
• Evening dress of primrose colored silk
• Carriage-dress of brown silk and light-gray India cashmere
• Evening dress of light-blue silk for a young lady
• Walking dress of chamois-colored camel's-hair.  

The "walking" dresses seem rather impractical, but contrary to modern expectations, they were not intended as exercise costumes.  They were fashionable outfits be seen in while promenading and paying visits!