Antique-Gown

The 1790s are a transitional period as far as fashion is concerned. The French Revolution is already on the horizon ... in a few years, fashion will change rapidly and profoundly. For the most part, clothing is very structured. Hoop skirts are on the decline, replaced by hip pads in everyday dress, although formal gowns and court dresses are still worn over the magnificent hoop skirts familiar from depictions of Marie Antoinette condemned to death.

In the midst of this period, the chemise a la Reine (also known as the Robe a la Reine and Robe en Chemise) suddenly appeared. Some sources claim it is of English origin, but it is Vigee le Brun's portrait of Marie Antoinette (in what critics called her "underwear") that popularized the fashion and gave it the name by which it is still known today.

This very rare dress from this period is made of brown silk. Inner bodice made of cotton. Attached belt to close. Half-length sleeves. The dress actually resembles a chemise/underdress in its simplicity, but was worn as a dress as the "latest fashion craze". Slightly puffy skirt. And: two side slits - a remnant of the sweeping rococo gowns. Poschen (pockets) were probably worn underneath. For a dress of this age: excellently preserved.

Price: 1.850 Euro