Journal des Dames et des Modes, Paris, October 17, 1802.
“Voile Rejetté en arriere. Manches à demi larges.”
Though there is no description of the print (there seldom is in this magazine), the fashion commentary for this issue mentions that veils are fashionable with half-dress. So, I am making the assumption that this represents a half-dress. Not quite luxurious enough for evening full dress, but elegant enough for late afternoon events or less than formal evening events.
The veil is worn “thrown back” over the hair, allowing us to see the fabulous cupid’s arrow piercing a tuft of hair in the front. The arrow is painted in bright silver metallic paint. Gem-set or paste-set arrows, as brooches or hair ornaments, became popular in the late 1790s, and remained so throughout the Regency period.
The short description beneath the print calls the sleeves “half wide.” I am not sure exactly what that means, but sleeves were typically tight at this time, so perhaps these are just a bit more loose. The long sleeves do look as if they might be detachable.
Both the robe and the under-dress are white, possibly muslin, with the robe trimmed in wide lace at the hem. The hem of the under-dress is left plain, and is styled in a demi-train. She wears a long, bright red shawl over one shoulder, with red slippers to match. And she carries a small fan.
