None of my books take place in 1807 but when I came across this fashion plate while perusing the 1807 edition of La Belle Assemblée, I fell in love. I'm not normally a big fan of the Regency plates from the fashion magazines, not really, but this one...I really like this one for some reason. So here's the plate with the description from the magazine itself. Enjoy!!
*Typo? Or did they actually spell "scalloped" that way in 1807? lol
**Taken verbatim from La Belle Assemblée, September 1807, page 113.
English Costume.
No 1. --Evening Dress
A round train dress of India muslin, embroidered in a fancy border of needle-work at the feet. The stock bosom, ornamented with white beads. A full Spanish short sleeve, over a plain one of white satin. A scolloped* lace tucker, placed strait round the bosom. Circassian scarf of gold, chambrey, or lace, crossing the back, and gathered in front of the left shoulder into an emerald brooch, reaching to the feet, finished with a gold tassel, and occasionally formed into drapery by the attitude of the right hand. The hair tastefully disposed in bands and curls; and a small ostrich feather crossing the crown towards the right side, is fastened to the hair with an emerald stud. Earrings, necklace, and bracelets of pearl with emerald clasps. White kid gloves and shoes.No 2. --Evening Walking Dress
A plain round gown of jaconet muslin, a walking length, simply ornamented with rows of open-hems round the bottom. A plain square bosom sitting close to the form, laced up the front, and trimmed at the edge with twisted muslin. A large straw hat of the Gipsy form, tied across the crown with a silk handkerchief. Deep Vandyke stock, of lace or needle-work. A black lace or Chinese shawl, thrown in irregular negligence over the shoulders. Straw-coloured kid gloves and shoes. White sarsnet parasol, deeply fringed, and painted in historical devices.***Typo? Or did they actually spell "scalloped" that way in 1807? lol
**Taken verbatim from La Belle Assemblée, September 1807, page 113.
2 comments:
I love Regency fashion plates and this one is no exception. Lovely!
BTW, spelling wasn't terribly standardized yet so one sees all kinds of creative spelling that make us snicker today. Plus the Brits spell several words different than the Americans.
I was aware of a few differences in spelling (color vs. colour, for example) it just struck me as funny here because I typed scalloped, went back to get the next few words, and realized I'd misspelled the word, according to La Belle Assemblée. I chuckled. :O)
Thanx for stopping by, Donna!
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