Gallery of Fashion, March 1799.
“Afternoon Dresses.”
Here again we have Afternoon Dresses that are fairly fancy and are worn with diamonds. The exclusive clientele of this expensive magazine clearly had more formal afternoon events than most other people.
Both ladies have very interesting headware. The lady on the left has a bandeau of white satin embroidered in red, with a short feather attached with a gold moon-shaped brooch, which I love. The lady on the right wears a chiffonet of silver muslin (a chiffonet was simply a length of fabric that could be wound around the head and tied in different ways, often like a turban), two gold bandeaus, and a short tuft of peacock feathers. Lots of elements for each lady to keep in place.
The blue satin robe on the left lady is said to be crocodile-colored. I confess I have never heard of a crocodile being blue.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“Fig. CCXII. The front hair cut short, and combed into feather curls; the hind hair dressed in loops and bandeaux. White satin embroidered bandeau ornamented in the front with an Oriental feather, a large pearl, and a gold half moon; large white curled feather, placed on the right and leaning to the left side. Gown of white muslin; full short sleeves; trimmed round the neck with fur, drawn and fastened upon the breast by a diamond stud. Circassian robe of crocodile-coloured satin, trimmed with fur. Diamond ear-rings. Pearl necklace. White shoes, embroidered in silver. Swansdown muff.
“Fig. CCXIII. The front hair cut short and combed straight; the hind hair turned up in three chignons. Chiffonet of silver muslin; two gold bandeaux, the ends formed into a bow in the front; tuft of peacock feathers placed on the left side. Round dress of muslin, with an embroidered border; short sleeves; broad plaiting of lace round the neck. Scarlet satin spencer, trimmed with white fur. Diamond necklace and ear-rings. White shoes. Swansdown muff.”
