Family group, taken in Orange Free State Colony late 1800's?

[Leanne68]

Hi folks,

I'm needing help find an approximate decade for this family photograph for a friend of mine.  It is supposed that it was taken in the Orange Free State colony (before the Boer war) of an Afrikaner family (JOUBERT).

Any ideas most welcome,
Thanks.

[Seoras]

Looking at those sleeves on the ladies I would say mid to late 1890s.I expect Jim or China will narrow it down.

[JDJames89]

I agree with Seoras. Those giant sleeves on the women's dresses popped up in the mid 1890s and were popular up to 1900. After this they began to fade out of style. The men's clothes are from the same era, though their collars are low and loose compared to the Edwardian/Belle Epoque Era (1900-1910). All in all I would hazard a guess that this was taken sometime between 1895-1905, leaning towards the first half of that time frame. That would place this sometime after the first Boer War and either just before or during the second Boer War.

(See modified post below, not sure why it made it a second post instead of altering this one)

[jim1]

Agree v.late 1890's - possibly v.early 1900's.
The puffball type of gigot sleeve came at the end of the style around 1898.One of the young women has the new style pigeon-breast blouse with epaulettes which emerged around 1900.The young girl at the front is wearing a yoke dress & lace mantle again a late decade style,so 1899-1900 I would suggest.

jim

[JDJames89]

This is a really great photo and it showcases a slight overlap between styles. As Seoras mentioned, those giant sleeves seen on the oldest woman and youngest girls' dresses popped up in the mid 1890s and were popular up to 1900. After this they began to fade out of style. As Jim mentioned, the older girls' dresses, however, look a bit more Edwardian/Belle Epoque (1900-1910), when light colors, high collard, and those very narrow, high waistlines came in to fashion. To me this would indicate that the older girls' dresses are newer and the younger girls are wearing hand-me-downs (very common and practical among such a large family), which would would mean this photo was taken in the slight overlap between the two styles around the turn of the century.  

The men's clothes are from the same era, though their collars are low and loose compared to the Edwardian/Belle Epoque. All in all I would hazard a guess that this was taken around the turn of the century (I'll say sometime between 1895-1905 to be safe) - sometime after the first Boer War and either just before or during the second Boer War.

[Leanne68]

Thank for such detailed and thoughtful responses!   Incredibly helpful!

I'll pass the info along.
much appreciated.
Leanne