Lady’s Monthly Museum, June 1800.
“Afternoon Dress for June, 1800”
Though these have all the appearance of evening dresses, they are called Afternoon Dresses, which meant they would have been worn for late afternoon or early evening occasions that would have been less formal than an evening event requiring full dress. They are therefore classified as Half Dress.
The silver bandeaus in the hair of the figure on the right, as well as the silver spots on her dress, are painted in silver metallic paint. It is difficult to see the metallic shine online, but in person it is quite bright and shiny.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“3. An under dress of pink muslin, with lace tucker, over which a gown of white muslin, open in front, and fastened with gold buttons or clasps. The sleeves pink, with a fulness of white muslin; fastened with the same. A pink cord round the waist. On the breast a fulness of white muslin, crossing and fastened on the shoulders. Necklace of rubies. Shoes pink; and bandeaus of pink muslin in the hair, with an ostrich feather falling behind, Hair off the forehead.
“4. Head-dress of hair bandeaus and silver radiating to the front. Hair off forehead. Gown, white silver spot-lace. White shoes. Pearl or Cornelian necklace and ear-rings.–In general, white silk gloves.”
