Train (clothing)

Isabella II of Spain in a blue gown with separate court train, mid-19th century.

In clothing, a train describes the long back portion of a skirt, overskirt, or dress that trails behind the wearer. It is a common part of a woman's court dress, formal evening gowns or wedding dress.

In the Roman Catholic Church the cappa magna (literally, "great cape"), a form of mantle, is a voluminous ecclesiastical vestment with a long train. Cardinals, bishops, and certain other honorary prelates are entitled to wear the cappa magna.

Gallery

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  Isabeau of Bavaria with long ermine-lined train; c. late 14th century or early 15th century

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  Mantua with train, 1698

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  Ada Lovelace wears a red court train, 1836

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  Court dress with train, 1876

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  Evening gown with train, 1883

References

• Black, J. Anderson and Madge Garland: A History of Fashion, Morrow, 1975. ISBN 0-688-02893-4
• Payne, Blanche: History of Costume from the Ancient Egyptians to the Twentieth Century, Harper & Row, 1965. No ISBN for this edition; ASIN B0006BMNFS

External links

• French court train of 1809
• Court train worn for a presentation to the emperor Napoleon