Gentleman’s Day Wear, October 1809

Journal des Dames et des Modes, Paris, October 15, 1809.

“Habit à un Rang de Boutons. Culotte de Peau.”

This young French gentleman is seen in the most stylish ensemble for outdoors, appropriate for riding or walking. As he carries a fashionably rustic walking stick, he is here engaged in the latter.

His hat is a curly-brimmed beaver tipped low over the eyes. The short description beneath the print does not specify the fabric of his coat, but as it is October, it is likely a light-weight wool, though it appears to have a waled texture, like corduroy. It is single-breasted, cut full in the shoulders, with the sleeves flaring long over the hands, which show bright yellow gloves.

Beneath the coat, our gentleman wears a pink and white striped waistcoat, cut square at the waist. It appears that he also wears a plain white waistcoat underneath the striped one. (It was a popular fashion at the time for men, especially in France, to where multiple waistcoats.) Both are worn high on the neck, without collars. The shirt collar is worn high against the chin and cheek, with the neckcloth tied in a stylish bow,

The breeches are made of some kind of skin (“peau”), probably leather. They button at the knee. The black top boots have a deep turn-over of lighter brown, with loops for pulling them on.  Boot garters can also be seen: straps fixed to the back of high boots, passed around the leg and over the breeches, to keep the boots in position.

This print was designed by Carle Vernet and engraved by Pierre Charles Baquoy, both famous artists in Paris at this time.

 

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