Walking Dress, February 1811

La Belle Assemblée, February 1811.

“Regency Walking Dress”

This is really not a dress, but a pelisse. Sometimes the dress underneath an outer garment is described, even when it is completely covered. Here, no mention of the dress is made, only the description of the pelisse and accessories.

The designation of “Regency Walking Dress” refers to the Regency Act of 1811, giving the Prince of Wales power to act on the king’s behalf. The Act was approved in early January, though the Prince was not officially installed as Prince Regent until February.

It is important to note here that although the print is dated February 1811, it was actually published in the January 1811 issue. (All La Belle Assemblée prints are dated for the following month.) The description mentions how to adapt this ensemble for mourning. Princess Amelia, the king’s favorite daughter, had died on November 2. Per the Lord Chamberlain’s announcement, court mourning for her was to last until January 11. But that date had been extended an additional 3 weeks “in compliment to the deceased Queen of France.” (Marie Joséphine of Savoy, wife of the exiled Louis XVIII, had died two weeks after Princess Amelia.) So, this issue of the magazine would have been released before or near the originally scheduled end of court mourning.

The print is described in the magazine as follows:

“A pelisse of scarlet Merino cloth, buttons down the front and up the arm with small gold buttons; the collar and cuffs of purple velvet; but during the mourning, of black, striped with scarlet; an ermine tippet pointed in the back, and muffs of the same. A bonnet of scarlet cloth, turned up with velvet, and formed to come over the face; the veil passed through the front and brought round the neck. Boots of scarlet cloth trimmed with velvet.”

 

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