Lady’s Monthly Museum, February 1801.
“Afternoon Dress for Feb’y 1801.”
In the early years of this magazine, when the fashion prints were original and not copied from other publications, we often see one dress shown from both front and back. Here, this allows us to see the way the plaid overdress dips into a V in the back.
The Caledonian robe and Scotch bonnet, both plaid, are quite charming. The shoes are said to be plaid, too!
Afternoon dresses at this time show something a bit fancier than a walking dress, and were likely meant to be worn at special events held in the afternoon, such as garden parties, barge parties, afternoon concerts, etc.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“1. A white cambric muslin round gown, with short half sleeves; over which is worn the Caledonian robe, which is made of plaid Chambray muslin, wrapping over in the front, and tied upon he shoulders by bows of plaid riband. A sash round the waist, of the same materials as the gown; either in short bows and ends, or reaching the feet. Coral necklace. Cap made of plaid, in the form of a Scotch bonnet, and finished by two black feathers, and one of green.
“2. A back view of the Caledonian robe, the dress opening on the back, and drawn towards the shoulders with a plaid bow; a rose of plaid placed upon the sash behind, at the bottom of the back. Plaid shoes.”
