Fashion Plate, August 1808

This fashion plate was engraved for John Bell (1745-1831), who published it in his magazine, La Belle Assemblée, in August 1808. It features two women in lightweight walking dresses. The one on the left is wearing a spencer (short jacket) over her dress. She is also wearing pale blue gloves and shoes, and a blue bonnet. The woman on the right is wearing a short-sleeved dress in green with a V-neck that ties in a handkerchief front. She wears gloves, green shoes, and a straw hat trimmed with “folded sarsnet” the color of the dress. Sarsnet was a lightweight silk fabric popular for Regency fashions. Both carry parasols.

References

Hern, Candice. “Morning Walking Dresses, Augsut 1808.” Regency World. Available at: https://candicehern.com/regencyworld/morning-walking-dresses-august-1808/

“La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine.” National Portrait Gallery. Available at:  www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp160026/la-belle-assemblee-or-bells-court-and-fashionable-magazine.