Fashions of London and Paris, October 1804.
“Promenade Dresses.”
The scarf crossed over the bosom of the lady on the left and tied in back is a bit unusual. Fichus of the previous decade were sometimes worn this way, but it is somewhat uncommon in the new century.
The black lace spencer on the right-hand lady — called a spencer-cloak, presumably because of its extra length in the front and sides — is not a mourning article. Black lace was simply very popular in the early years of the new century.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“Fig. 1.–A round dress of white muslin, with long sleeves. A Barcelona handkerchief crossed over the bosom and tied behind. A scarf cloak of worked muslin. A straw hat, turned up in front, and ornamented with a blue feather.
“Fig. 2.–A dress of cambric muslin; the sleeves short and drawn up on the top of the arm, to form an epaulette. A black lace spencer-cloak, trimmed all round. A large straw hat, tied under the chin with a pink handkerchief.”
