 FAIR: Before Kate goes back in time, her dress is plain gray and her  skirt is straight. When she is in 1876, her dress changed to one  with black fringe lining that sticks out around the neck and the  skirt has a large poof on the back. The dress in question was  addressed in the special features of the film. The costume designer  stated that she chose the design of this dress based on its ability  to take simple modifications and fit nicely into a more elaborate  "period" costume and be able to fit in to the style of dress that  was socially acceptable once she had traveled to the 1900s. They  added a bustle, short train and ruffles around the neckline so that  it would contrast the more conservative style it once was in the  21st century.