This article about 18th century necklines popped up on my facebook news feed today.
http://makinghistorynow.com/2016/01/musi...necklines/
It is a few decades prior to Mary's era, but the idea is that low necklines were nothing new.
Regarding Catherine Clinton's observation --- she ignored the fact that every one at a ball would have worn a headdress, and at least 90 percent of them would have contained silk or fresh flowers. At a time when it was mandatory to wear gloves, the floral headdress was a fashion accessory that helped a young man determine if a lady was married or unmarried. Flowers worn on the back of the head -- single; flowers worn in a diadem - married. Mrs. Lincoln did have a penchant for floral headdress any more than any other socialite of her time. She was simply following the fashion of the day.
Lloyd Ostendorf's Book of Mary Lincoln Photos
