Promenade Dresses, August 1805

Fashions of London and Paris, August 1805.

“Promenade Dresses. August, 1805.”

This is a large fold-out print (hence the creases) that is about three times the width of the standard print in this magazine. It’s one of my favorites, as it shows three lively groups, including gentlemen. But notice the third lady from the left, the one holding the open parasol. The artist seems to have forgotten to draw her body! The woman beside her holds out her purple cloak, but one would still expect to see the skirt and feet of the third lady. Oops.

In the first few years of the century, most dresses had trains. One can’t help but imagine all these white trains getting dirty while walking in the park, even on gravel paths! I suspect these ladies kept their laundresses busy.

The print is described in the magazine as follows:

“KENSINGTON GARDENS PROMENADE.
Fig. 1–A round dress of plain or worked muslin; a pelisse of worked pique leno, lined with primrose persian, and trimmed all round with white lace. A mob cap trimmed and lined with primrose.
Fig. 2–A dress of white muslin, made quite plain, with long sleeves. A scarf cloak of purple sarsnet, trimmed all round with black lace. A gipsy hat of open straw, trimmed with purple.
Fig. 3–A short dress of muslin. Leghorn hat.
Fig. 4–A morning dress of white muslin, made close to the throat. A cap of white lace, lined with lilac; a deep lace border. Nankin shoes.
Fig. 5–A short dress of white muslin, with long sleeves; a shawl of worked leno, with an embroidered border, fastened on the bosom with a brooch. A bonnet of worked muslin, lined with sarsnet.
Fig. 6–A long dress of worked mulsin, with plain short sleeves; a shawl of worked muslin or leno. Straw hat turned up in front.
Fig. 7–A plain dress of white muslin, with short sleeves; a cloak of green sarsnet, trimmed all round with black lace. A large gipsy hat, tied down with a green handkerchief. York tan gloves.
Fig. 8–A morning dress of white muslin, made close to the neck with a collar; long sleeves. A bonnet of white muslin, with lace let in round the front.”

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