Evening Dress, September 1812
Fashion plates showed women and dressmakers what fashionable society was wearing in London and Paris. In 1812, a neoclassical look with tubular silhouette, empire waist, and open neckline reigned for London’s evening events. This evening dress from the September 1812 volume of Ackermann’s Repository of Arts publication features sleeves that are gathered at intervals with pink ribbons. The figure’s hair is arranged “a la grecque” in a bun with curls framing her face and a floral headpiece. Accessories include a gold necklace, earrings, fan, and gloves. The neoclassical theme is reinforced by the bench on which the figure is sitting.
I’m not such a fan of these sleeves, they look to be too much for the dress. I would say they need to be on a more fancy dress but then I suppose it would be overload. I much prefer the short sleeve.
Very fetching for the young and slim … and wealthy! Goodness knows how anyone chubbier looked, because I don’t think any stays underneath, and a don’t think strapless bras had been invented*? Impossible to wear more than once if anything got split at supper. And that thin gauze stole carelessly draped on the stool wasn’t going to add any warmth. * Have you blogged on 1812 underwear?