Riding Habit – 1840-1849

An authentic 1840s hand-colored fashion engraving from the prestigious French periodical “Le Moniteur de la Mode – Journal du Grand Monde.” This historical print captures high-society Victorian fashion on an outdoor stone terrace under a fringed awning, with a castle and a groom tending to a horse in the background. On the left, a lady models an elegant cream-colored crinoline promenade gown featuring blue silk stripes, tiered ruffled trims, a high collar, and a matching white lace bonnet. On the right, the second lady wears a sophisticated equestrian riding outfit consisting of a tailored black velvet jacket with a red bow tie, a full light gray skirt, and a structured straw hat while holding a riding whip. Complete with original Paris and London publication credits at the bottom, this rare mid-19th-century plate is an exceptional resource for antique fashion print collectors, textile historians, and Victorian clothing enthusiasts.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges