British Lady’s Magazine, January 1818.
“Evening Dress.”
Half-mourning here is for Princess Charlotte, who died in November 1817. More white is allowed with half-mourning, though the white gloves are unusual for any level of mourning.
The bodice here is so tiny as to be almost non-existent. During the last years of the Regency, waistlines became as high as they ever would, but this one is particularly high.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“Dress of black crape over white sarsnet, trimmed with folds of satin to form a wave. On each side are placed leaves of crape on the bias; the edge is tastefully ornamented with crape and satin roses; on the hem, and above the trimming, is a fold of satin. The body is made to fit the shape, ornamented in a novel manner with crape and satin roses; the sleeve is very short, the fullings on the bias intermingled with roses of crape and satin; the hair dressed high, round the head is a tiara of white crape roses, surmounted by a beaufort scarf, richly embroidered with bugles; necklace of black jet; white crape fan, gloves, and shoes.
“We have again to acknowledge our obligations to Miss Macdonald of 84 Wells Street, Oxford Street, inventress of the above novelties.”
