Pink Rose Women's Sleeveless V Neck Ruffle Trim Empire Waist Maxi Dress Belk Afternoon dress. Culture: American. Date: ca. 1862. 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 empire waist reshaped fashion in the early 19th century. It borrowed from classical antiquity and rejected the ridgid styles of the 18th century. While the fashion looked more relaxed, the societal 8 Modern Day Empire Waist Dresses With Bridgerton Style Flair Nili Lotan Bionca Empire Waist Sleeveless Silk Bias Maxi Dress, Black, Women's, 4, Casual & Work Dresses Maxi Dresses