gardenfork

1821

According to a fashion magazine of the time called a la chambre or wrapping dress, was worn in the morning before getting attired for the events of the day. This recreation of an 1821 gown is of pink corduroy. The bodice comes up to the throat in the back, but is sloped in the front, and turns over all around so as to form a pelerine. It wraps across before and displays a little of the fichu, or chemisette worn underneath. The sleeve is easy, but not wide, and is finished with gros de Naples at the waist. The girdle is the same, and fastens with a gold clasp at the side. The skirt wraps across to the left side and has corresponding bows down the front.

The headdress is a coronet composed of full bands of net inserted between plain ones of letting in lace. The ears are cut very narrow and far back. It fastens with a bow of pale pink ribbon under the chin. The black leather shoes, called straights, remained little changed for forty more years.

This reproduction was made by Peggy Fields.

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