Journal des Dames et des Modes, Paris, March 1, 1800.
“Costume de Bal.”
This white dress is trimmed along the neckline, around the waist, the sleeves, and the hemline with pink ribbon. The ribbon around the waist ties in the back and hangs down almost to the knees. The neckline is so low that we can see her nipples, something we would never see in a British print. That, along with the way the clinginess of the skirt reveals much of her body, is why so many critics at this time, primarily men, complained about the scandalous new style of fashion, with a narrower silhouette and thin fabrics that left little to the imagination.
The trimming at the hemline, with swags of pink ribbons, roses and green leaves, was more elaborate than was typical at this time, when a simple ribbon, narrow ruffle, or lace was the norm. It is not entirely clear if she is wearing long gloves or long sleeves with short gloves, but I would guess the latter. If she wore long gloves we should see the ties at the top of them, and a bit of skin between the glove and the short sleeve. Because of the short puff at the top of the sleeves, I suspect these may be detachable long sleeves.
She wears a cap trimmed in the same pink ribbon, with what appears to be a veil that hangs down the back. She wears green slippers with what look to be white clocked stockings.
