As I discovered while researching previous blogs on bridal costume, wedding dresses do not appear frequently in the fashion prints of the first third of the 19th century. Riding dresses are even rarer. This one, from 1807, is French. The purple boots with yellow laces are an interesting choice for the blue dress.
Since the fashion description is so short, I’m also including the delightful overview of the life of a fashionable lady during the London Season.
~~
PARISIAN COSTUME.
No. 3,
Represents a Parisian lady, mounted in the most fashionable style, for the Long Champs and Elysées, at Paris.—An equestrian habit of fine seal-wool cloth, with elastic strap; the colour blue (but olive, or puce, are equally esteemed), with convex buttons of dead gold. The habit to sit high in the neck behind, lapelled in front, and buttoned twice at the small of the waist; a high plaited frill of cambric, uniting at the bosom where the habit closes. A jockey bonnet of the same materials as composes the habit, finished with a band and tuft in front. Hair in dishevelled crop. York tan gloves ; and demi-boots of purple kid, laced with jonquille chord.No. 3,
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
ON THE MOST PREVAILING
FASHIONS FOR THE SEASON.
At this season of fashionable festivity, when pleasure dances on the wings of time—when the magic influence of taste and ton, aid the enchanting witcheries of the Loves and the Graces; and nature and beauty disdain not to pay homage at the shrine of genius and art, the triumph of the goddess is complete—-she mounts her airy car, wields her sceptre of rainbow hue, exulting in the splendour of her train. Routs, balls, and operas, pic-nics, plays, and sumptuous dinners, are but tests of her popularity, and existing specimens of her all powerful dominion.ON THE MOST PREVAILING
FASHIONS FOR THE SEASON.
—La Belle Assemblée, Volume 2, 1807.
~~
Perhaps our equestrian readers could explain why the horse's posterior is so prominent in the illustration?
No comments:
Post a Comment