Regency Fashions August 1817

 Oh its fashion time again.  I always love this bit.  Here are a couple of delightful summer frocks.
From the July 1817 La Belle Assemblee

Our first gown is advertized as a French fashion, and French was and is always considered tres chic

The official description is as follows:

Round dress of cambric, with two embroidered flounces, divided at about half a quarter of a yard, with rows of small tucks. Colerette body of fine cambric, ornamented round the bust and at the bottom of the waist to correspond with the border of the dress. Leghorn bonnet ornamented with puffings of pink satin. Lyonese shawl of grass-green with a narrow variegated border. Pink kid shoes, and Limerick gloves.

Puffings?  That made me chuckle. I was also smiling at the half a quarter of a yard.  Did she mean an eighth?  It is an interesting insight into language of the day. I quite like the bell shape of the skirt and the length is practical for walking, but not sure about the ruffle around the neck. But then my neck is not quite of the swan-variety. That green scarf is startling amid all the pale colours.



The second offering is English.

And classified as an Afternoon Dress. Just what I would be wearing to afternoon tea with the local lord of the manor, and lounging about in during a country house party.

The official Description goes as follows:

Round dress of fine plain India muslin, with triple flounces richly embroidered; the upper flounce finished with a bouillone run through with ribband of ethereal blue. Open spenser of ethereal blue sprigged satin, lined with white; the part that turns back and the falling collar elegantly finished with find blond; macherons of white satin surmount the sleeves, trimmed also with blond. Elphinstone cap of blue and white satin, with a plume of white feathers.

I have some more to share about August fashions later in the month. Some fun observations, but next time we have to move on with our tour of Saltram.
Until then, Happy rambles.