Widows were expected to wear mourning attire for two years (one year in full-mourning, one year in half-mourning), and they did not enter society except to attend church. Proper mourning attire for a woman consisted of a dress made of dull black material with little or no trimming. All accessories, such as this cape, were black as well. Before the introduction of pre-made mourning clothing, women would dye their dresses black.
