La Belle Assemblée, April 1813.
“Evening Dress.”
Despite the print’s title of Evening Dress, this is named a Half Dress in the description. And in the General Observations on Fashion and Dress, it states: “The half dress which we have given in our Print is very general for dinner parties.”
The dress is much lower cut than we typically see in British prints. It makes me wonder if the crossed white silk handkerchief was added at the last minute to give more cover to the bosom.
The print is described in the magazines as follows:
“HALF DRESS. Gown of fine jaconet muslin, with a demi-train, and finished round the bottom with a fine but not broad lace; body of pink sarsnet, made very low both before and behind in the neck; a strip of white satin is laid in in front, and is ornamented with two rows of rich silk buttons, below which a large full bow of white figured satin ribband gives a very elegant finish to the dress. White satin sleeves, made rather longer than last month; they are very full and are confined at the bottom with a plain band. A rich white silk handkerchief is crossed on the bosom, but so as to display a cornelian necklace. Rose coloured Regency cap, ornamented with a plume of white feathers; cornelian necklace. White kid gloves and shoes.”
