Fashion Plate, November 1808

This fashion plate was printed for John Bell’s Le Belle Assemblée in November 1808. It depicts two women in evening dresses. The same print is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London, and it includes the descriptions of the dresses. The woman on the left is wearing a “Spanish robe” with lace trimmings, a golden clasp, and a full Spanish sleeve. At this time, styles and accessories were often named after countries. The woman on the right is wearing a satin petticoat and vest, with a Turkish sleeve, Chinese floss silk trimmed robe, and a Roman hood. The woman on the left wears her hair pinned up in curls resembling ancient Greek coiffures.

References

“'London Full Dresses', November 1808.” National Portrait Gallery, www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw279731/London-Full-Dresses-November-1808LinkID=mp160026.