Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, May 1817.
“Evening Dress.”
The neckline of this dress scoops to the top of the shoulders, a novel style at this time, as shoulders were almost never uncovered. Off-the-shoulder dresses would become much more prevalent in another 10 years or so.
The very high wreath of flowers in the hair is also something I have not seen in prints before this time.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“A white lace dress over a blush-coloured satin slip. The dress is disposed round the bottom of the skirt in festoons, which display a little of the slip; each festoon is ornamented with a bouquet of blue-belles, pinks, and rose-buds. The festoons are surmounted by a rollio of intermingled pink and white saton. We refer to our print for the form of the body, which is novel and tasteful. The sleeve is very short and full; it is finished at the bottom by quillings of blond. The hair is dressed in a plain braid across the face, and a few loose ringlets at the sides. The hind hair forms a tuft, which is concealed by the head-dress, a high wreath of fancy flowers. Pearl necklace. White kid slippers and gloves.”
