Fashions of London and Paris. June 1810.
“Evening Dresses.”
These appear to be basically the same dress, or at least the same dress pattern, with different trimming: silver on one (which I love), vandyking on the other, though the latter is simply named as lace in the description.
It is interesting that the left dress, and apparently the right one as well, is “made just to touch the ground,” as though that is something novel and new. Perhaps it is simply meant to say there is no demi-train, hanging longer behind. Otherwise, this is a typical hem length for 1810.
I’m not a fan of evening hats, but both these caps look just right with these dresses.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“TWO FULL DRESSES. Fig. 1.–A dress of very clear muslin over an underdress of satin; the dress made just to touch the ground, and trimmed round the bottom with rich lace; the front and sleeves formed by lace and trimmed to correspond with the bottom of the dress; a frock back, ornamented with small bows of ribbon. A cap made entirely of lace and pearls. Necklace and bracelets of pearl, or white cornelian. Shoes and gloves white.
“Fig. 2.–A dress of white crape (over satin), trimmed round the bottom with silver; the front and back quite plain, the latter laced up with silver cord. A cap of crape and silver, to correspond with the dress, ornamented with a flower with the edges tipped with silver. White gloves and shoes.”
