A Couple in French Fashions – 1809

A man and a woman stand on green carpet or grass in their French fashions of 1809. The woman’s outfit, labeled number “1,” is viewed from the back. The woman wears a long cream colored empire waist gown with a scalloped hem. The hem is trimmed with bands of blue trim, cream lace, and pink rosettes with a band of greenery at the top. The dress has short puffed sleeves. Around her shoulders is a four (or five) tiered shawl or fichu made of polka-dotted lace. She wears a green bonnet with a deep rose pink ribbon bow, rose pink flat shoes, and long over the elbow green gloves.

She carries a handkerchief. The man’s attire, labeled number “2,” is a riding or walking outfit. He wears long, tight-fitting trousers with military braiding in two bands down the legs of the sides and in a pattern at the front facings. He wears a white shirt with high standing collar, a rose waistcoat, and a brown double breasted cutaway tailcoat with notched lapels. The sleeves of the tailcoat have french cuffs. He wears tall black boots, a black top hat, and he carries a walking stick. His sideburns are long and curly.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges