Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, January 1816.
“Carriage Dress”
Waists are very high during this late Regency period. Hints of styles to come may be seen in the fullness of the shoulders and the bell-shape of the skirt.
The shoes (on impossibly tiny feet) are called sandals in the text, though that term is generally used for slippers that lace up above the ankle. No laces can be seen here, but the slippers do appear to have charming little pom-poms at the vamp.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“MORNING OR CARRIAGE DRESS. High dress composed of the finest dark blue ladies’ cloth; it is made up t the throat, but without a collar, has a slight fullness in the back, and falls very much off the shoulder; the front is tight to the shape, and the waist very short. The trimming is dark blue satin, to correspond; it is cut byas, laid on double and very full; long plain sleeve, finished at the wrist with satin; French ruff of very rich lace. Head-dress à la mode de Paris; it is a cap composed of white lace, and ornamented with two rolls of ribbon to correspond; the form of this cap is the highest degree of original. Gloves white kid. Sandals blue kid.
“We are indebted to the tasteful fancy of Mrs. Bean, of Albemarle-street, for both our dresses this month.”
