Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, May 1816.
“Morning Dress”
Though the description below describes this as a Carriage Dress, clearly it is an indoor morning dress, as the print title indicates.
Beginning about this time, the sleeves of indoor morning dresses show much more fullness, as here. In fact, the entire ensemble is more full and loose than previous years, and likely more comfortable. However, the addition of more ornamentation — ruffles, lace , ribbons, flounces — is also typical of this period. The cap is especially fussy.
Note also the slippers (on impossibly tiny feet) which I think are adorable.
Note also the teacup, trimmed in gold (painted with metallic gold paint in the print) which reminds me of several old Derby patterns of this period.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“CARRIAGE DRESS. A cambric slip, ticked very high and finished at the bottom with a deep flounce of worked muslin. Over the slip is a robe of the same material, open in front, and trimmed all round with very rich work. The body of the robe is made in the chemiset style, and displays a lace fichu worn underneath. The long sleeve is ornamented with a bow of blue ribbon, and finished at the wrist by a novel and elegant ruffle. Head-dress, a cornette composed of plain white lace, profusely trimmed with flounces and blue ribbon. Gloves and slippers of blue kid. This dress is likely to continue a favourite, because, independent of its novelty, it is extremely elegant and striking; and both its form and material are peculiarly appropriate to the present season.
“We are again indebted to the elegant inventions of Mrs. Gill, of Cork-street, Burlington-Gardens, for both our dresses this month.”
