Paris Fashions – Spring 1831

The woman on the left sits on a low footstool that is upholstered in green with white fringe. Her back is to the viewer, and she wears a pink, off-the-shoulder dress with short, puffed sleeves trimmed with white ruffles. Three tiers of white lace ruffles edge the straight neck and the woman wears an ornate gold necklace with dangling green and purple teardrop beads. Her long, dangling earrings match her necklace, and she wears sprays of pink flowers, fern fronds, and an elaborate gold comb in her hair.

Her hair is drawn up into an elaborate bun, with loops and bunches of side curls. The second woman stands facing the viewer. She wears a white, off-the-shoulder dress with short, puffed sleeves and a wrap bodice. The bodice is edged with three tiers of wide white lace ruffles. A green belt with a large, gold, oval buckle fastens around her waist. Her skirts are patterned with columns of ferns and pink flowers,and she wears white lace-up slippers, stockings, and elbow-length gloves. Three strands of gold beads caught up with red stones form her necklace.

She wears matching red and gold earrings and a gold fillet with a central red stone. Like her companion, her elaborate coiffure is decorated with sprays of pink flowers, including roses, and a large, gold and white comb. Her hair has an asymmetrical parting. She has a fringed, pale peach shawl draped over her arms, and carries a closed, white fan in her left hand. “13” has been written in pencil to the right of the line of text, which reads “Petit Courrier des Dames.” “10 Mai 31” has been written in pencil in the lower left.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges