French Ball Costume – 1802

A man and a woman are dressed for a Paris ball. The man is dressed in the style of Napoleon Bonaparte. His white cravat is tied high, almost to his chin. His red waistcoat is banded in gold on the fronts, hem, and pockets, and is cut longer than his jacket. His blue cutaway tail coat with a high stiff collar is double breasted. He wears black knee breeches and white stockings, with black dancing slippers.

His hair is cut in a short windswept style, and his black bicorne hat has a blue and gold cockade on the front. He carries his brown gloves. His partner is dancing next to him with one arm raised and the other behind her, taking the next step in the dance. Her white gown has an Empire waist, a round neckline, and elbow length sleeves. Over this she wears a short overdress open down the front and patterned with large gold stars. Gold and red details band the front of the overdress and down the top of the sleeve. With her back to the viewer, the construction details of the back of the bodice are very clearly depicted, and a decorative leaf motif is shown at the center back of the yoke.

The hem of the dress has a wide double band of gold with ovals encasing roses, or a similar red motif, set at angles. The dress and overdress are both shown as very light, fluttery fabric, undoubtedly muslin. She wears long white gloves, and flat black and gold dancing slippers. Her hairstyle has the classically inspired look of the Empire with braids wrapping the back, and a gold diadem with a tall gold hair ornament, possibly a feather. She wears a gold bracelet.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges