La Belle Assemblée, November 1812.
“Morning Walking Dress”
While the war against Napoleon was raging on the Continent, many military elements made their way into female fashion. Here, we have a helmet-style hat with a laurel wreath, often symbolizing victory, along the brim. The beautiful pelisse has military-style frogs at the bodice and the hem.
The silver bear muff is huge, as was typical at this time, and is charmingly lined with pink.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“Short pelisse of deep lilac, shot with white; back broader than they were worn last month, and on each hip a Spanish button. It is made with a collar up to the throat, and trimmed round with rich fur; sleeves long and loose, with a fur at bottom to form a cuff, rather shorter in front than behind, and two Spanish buttons are placed just at the bottom of the pelisse in front, which fastens with a loop crossing from one to the other. The bosom is ornamented in the same manner; a belt of embroidered ribband round the waist, and a gold clasp in front. A bonnet of the same materials as the pelisse, crown a helmet shape, front very small, and a wreath of laurel round it; three white feathers are placed at the back of the bonnet, and fall over the front; broad ribband, same as the bonnet, is pinned plain under the chin. The hair is brought very low at the sides, and a single curl on the forehead. Buff gloves, and dark brown kid boots. Large silver bear muff.”
