July 1816's fashion plates both feature white gowns, one for the opera, and one for morning dress. The opera dress is made of lace worn over a satin slip, while the morning dress is made from muslin (“the only thing now adopted by belles of taste in the morning costume”). Both feature full sleeves, coming tight only at the wrist. And both feature dramatic trimmings about the hem: the opera dress with lace festoons trimmed with “byas” (bias) satin and held by pearl ornaments; the morning dress with two bands of “rich work” (needlework) with a scalloped edge. The lady in the morning dress holds a large book of sheet music; is she just off to practice her pianoforte?
In general fashion notes:
• Matrons are sporting pelisses, while the younger set prefers the spencer
• Straw and Leghorn hats and bonnets are still in fashion
• China crepe scarfs, richly embroidered in colors at the end, are worn for carriage costumes, or scarves of French silk net
• Coloured bodices are not currently in fashion, although white satin bodices are quite popular
• The corset de Grâces is still in fashion; the Thuringuen habit is reputed to be on the rise amongst female equestrians
• Peach-blossom is much in favor as a color in fashions
A long letter from “Eudocia” to “Sophia” reports on the fashions in Paris:
Ovals and scallops feature in July's needlework patterns:
