Dresses of March 1795 from The Gallery of Fashion

Morning Walking Dresses. Figure 45 and 46, March 1795. The lady on the left wears a pink gown stripped with rose and trimmed on the hem with a simple ruffle. Her bonnet has elaborate pink ribbon trim and an ostrich feather dyed black (although it appears brown in my copy, no doubt faded). The black (according to the description, but looks brown) shawl has fur trim to match the fur muff. Muffs in the 1810-1825 period would grow much larger. The original description of the left figure read: "The hair combed into light curls; plain chignon, white bouffant around the head. Bonnet of black velvet with pink satin; the cawl of pink satin spotted with black, the top fastened and crossed in several parts with black velvet riband, fastened with a button on top, trimmed with pink riband made into one large bow in front and behind. One black ostrich feather in front. Round gown of chintz, with long sleeves, and trimmed at the bottom with a narrow flounce. Full cravat around the neck. Black satin short cloak trimmed with broad lace. Isabella bearskin tippet and muff. Red morocco slippers." The lady on the right wears a spangled silk dress with a navy spencer above it. Her hat has elaborate yellow trim, which in no way matches the dress and spencer. Both ladies hitch up their skirts to show us simple white petticoats below the round gowns of one piece.