Lady’s Monthly Museum, December 1813.
“London Fashions for December.”
The dress on the seated figure is said to have stadholder sleeves. This style of sleeve came about when King William III fell from his horse in 1702 and broke his collar bone. (Though popularly known as William of Orange, he also held the title of Stadholder of Holland.) Because of the necessary splint, his clothes no longer fit. He then wore an adjusted garment with an open sleeve tied with bows, just as seen in the dress here. It’s an unusual style I have not seen in other prints. Perhaps it was an older style revived for a short time in the mid-Regency.
Note also how clingy the dress is on the standing figure. Very revealing of the body, which is why some considered the narrow Regency silhouette as scandalous.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“The MIRROR OF FASHION for December 1813. Dresses invented by Mrs. Green.
“Morning Dress.–Gown of white muslin with full stadholder sleeve, fastened by buttons; primrose coloured gloves, hair adorned with yellow roses.
“Afternoon or full dress.–A yellow satin boddice, with fillagree front, over a long dress of white crape; ruby scarf of real English manufacture; white gloves and shoes, Hair, interwoven with a fillet of silver leaves.”
