French and English Costume – 1803

A Couple in French and English Costume – 1803

A woman and man wearing English and French fashions for 1803. The woman’s outfit is labeled number “1.” The woman stands in a three-quarter pose with her back to the viewer which allows us to see the back v neckline and hemline of the overdress. Her empire waist white dress has a short train, and long sleeves. Her overdress is edged with a band of blue and yellow ribbon at the neck, short sleeves, and hem, which falls in a point at the back just below her knees. Just above the ribbon are two rows of white rosettes.

The under dress has a high collar. She wears white gloves, flat black shoes, and a straw hat trimmed with wreath of ivy. She carries a reticule which mirrors the point of the overdress.The bottom seems to be woven like a basket, with a fabric top. A gold ring hangs from the bottom of the bag, and two at the sides. The man’s outfit is labeled number “2.” Standing in an open profile, the man is wearing three-quarter length green trousers with matching puttees or gaiters over his black shoes.

He wears a brown double breasted cutaway tailcoat with notched lapels over a white ruffled shirt with a stiff, high collar. His waistcoat has thin, vertical, pink and white stripes, and a standing collar. To complete the outfit he wears tan gloves and a gray top hat, and carries a walking stick.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges