Three French Gentlemen – Winter 1831

1830s French Men’s Fashion Plate from Petit Courrier des Dames

This authentic hand-colored fashion engraving, plate number 850, originates from the November 25, 1831 issue of the historical French periodical Petit Courrier des Dames. Capturing the bourgeois dandyism of the early July Monarchy, the antique print displays three figures showcasing elite Parisian tailoring near the Boulevard des Italiens. The artwork offers invaluable insights into the pre-Victorian Romantic era of menswear, reflecting the structural shifts toward elongated silhouettes, pinched waists, and exaggerated outer coats tailored for high-society European gentlemen.

Romantic Era Tailoring, Double-Breasted Redingotes, and Silk Top Hats

The detailed historical composition highlights sophisticated winter attire, prominently featuring a central gentleman modeling a dramatic, ankle-length black wool redingote (greatcoat) characterized by a pinched waistline, padded chest, and wide plush velvet lapels. Standing to his left, a companion showcases a tailored royal blue frock coat paired with a moss-green standing collar vest, brown checkered wool trousers, and a classic black silk top hat. A rear view of a third figure in a neutral-toned fitted coat completes the ensemble study, framing this collectible plate as a vital resource for historical costume archives.