Fashions of London and Paris, July 1804.
“Promenade in Kensington Gardens.”
This is a large fold-out print (hence the creases) that is about three times the width of the standard print in this magazine. These large prints of ladies and gentleman strolling through a public garden were only published a few times in this magazine: twice in 1798, once in 1804 (this print), once in 1805 (seen here) , and once in 1806.
As this is a magazine for women, the gentlemen’s clothes are never described. In this print, the fashions of only 7 of the 9 ladies are described. The figures second from the left and second from the right are too obscured to warrant descriptions.
One thing that always stands out for me in these large prints of promenading ladies is the depth of their trains. Imagine how dirty those hems got while walking in the park, even on gravel paths!
The lady in purple, third from the right, is said to be wearing a “conversation hat.” This was a style where one side of the brim projects beyond the cheek, while the other side is turned back from the cheek, possibly to make it easier to have a close, private conversation without the obstruction of the brim.
The lady in the center wearing white and looking straight at the viewer is said to be wearing a “mistake hat.” This style of hat had a tall flat-topped crown where the front brim has a sharp point turned up and the back brim is turned down. I have no idea why it is called a “mistake.”
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“Fig. 1. Dress of white muslin, made high round the neck, with a lace frill. A large shawl of fawn colour, with an embroidered lilac border. A large Obi hat of lilac crape or muslin.
“Fig. 2. A round dress of clear white muslin over blue silk; full long sleeves confined with medallions. Habit shirt of lace or fine muslin. A large Gipsey hat of white chip, ornamented with a wreath of flowers.
“Fig. 3. A dress of white muslin, the back made full and very low. A scarf of plain leno, fastened on the left shoulder. A Gipsey hat of white muslin, with a flower in front.
“Fig. 4. A short round dress. A very deep lace veil.
“Fig. 5. A long dress of white muslin, the sleeves very short, with stripes of lace let in. Habit shirt of fine muslin. Mistake hat of white chip.
“Fig. 6. A round dress of lilac muslin, the sleeves short and plain. A lace handkerchief. A conversation hat of white muslin or chip, with a white feather. White gloves.
“Fig. 7. A long dress of white muslin and lace, the back plain and very low; the sleeves short and full. A small round hat of Italian sarsnet, with a white feather in front. Yellow shoes and gloves.”
