Fashions – Autumn 1840

Fashions for September 1840 Antique British Costume Plates

This exquisite hand-colored fashion plate, titled “Fashions for September 1840,” offers an immaculate visual archive of early Victorian high-society transitions. The compilation print displays five distinct female arrangements, illustrating the structured, modest elegance that replaced the flamboyant volumes of the previous decade. The full-length figure on the left models a rich violet or deep purple day dress, characterized by a tightly corseted, pointed V-shaped bodice with a vertical button panel, full sleeves gathered below the shoulder, and a dome-shaped skirt adorned with structural horizontal ruffles and a delicate lace pelerine collar secured by a yellow silk ribbon bow.

Early Victorian Paisley Shawls and Historical Ringlet Hairstyle Trends

The companion full-length figure on the right showcases an elegant ivory or cream afternoon gown layered with a magnificent, deep crimson or burgundy paisley mantle shawl featuring golden horizontal borders and thick fringe trim. The upper vignettes provide deep contextual research into early 1840s styling etiquette, focusing on the iconic spaniel curls or vertical ringlet hairstyles popular during Queen Victoria’s early reign. Adorned with structural poke bonnets lined with artificial pink roses, silk headwraps, and formal folding fans, this rare historical engraving serves as an elite reference for textile curators, theatre costumers, and 19th-century commercial graphic art galleries.