La Belle Assemblée, August 1810.
“Promenade Morning Dress”
This print shows the woman in the act of fastening the belt (girdle) around the pelisse, which not only gives it a sense of immediacy in the design of the print, but also provides a glimpse into how the pelisse worked. I also love it when the print includes lovely pieces of Regency furniture.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
” A plain cambric round morning dress, made high in the neck, with a short train, let in round the bottom with two rows of worked trimming. A pelisse of green sarsnet, made to fit the shape, trimmed round with a narrow fancy trimming, cut with two scallops on the left side, on the right with one; fastened on the neck with a gold brooch, and confined round the waist with a girdle of the same, with gold clasp. A Lavinia unbleached chip hat, tied down with a broad white sarsnet ribband; a small white satin cap is worn underneath, with an artificial rose in front. The hair dressed in full curls. A plaid parasol; with York tan gloves; green silk sandals.”
If you’re wondering why the slippers are called sandals, I suspect there are laces up around the ankle that are not shown in the print. The term “sandals” was typically used for slippers that laced up the ankle and sometimes higher, sort of like ballet shoes.
