La Belle Assemblée, August 1813.
“Walking Dress.”
This dress is interesting as it is a light-weight summer dress made in the style of a riding habit. The buttoned pockets are seldom seen on a walking dress, but are quite common in riding habits, as seen in this print, as it would not have been convenient to carry a reticule while riding. The short peplum at the back of the spencer jacket is also styled after riding habits, as seen in this print.
White muslin dresses with matching white muslin jackets or pelisses were common at this time, especially in the summer months.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“MORNING DRESS. High dress of jaconet muslin, walking length, and trimmed round the bottom either with lace or work. Pocket-holes made habit fashion. Over this dress is a body of the same materials, which has a half-sleeve finished at the bottom by puffings either of lace or muslin: it is drawn in at the bottom so as to form a small jacket. A very full ruff of broad lace round the neck. Small round straw hat, tied under the chin by a soft white ribbon, and ornamented in front by a bunch of corn flowers. Sky blue silk scarf and parasol. York tan gloves, and half-boots.”
