FASHIONS FOR MARCH 1808

Le Beau Monde

Fig. No. 1—Evening Full Dress.—A soft satin, of a beautiful amber and brown shot, worn over a sarsnet slip, made with a short train, a quarter and a half in length on the ground; the back of the dress is short and square; the sleeves are made in straight stripes down the arm, with a row of amber and white satin; they are quite plain and worn close to the arm, long sleeves confined round the wrists with pearl bracelets; a French body of white satin, fastened in the centre of the bosom with a pearl broach, confined to the shape, and drawn down at each side of the neck, with pearl clasps to correspond. A broad band from the centre of the bosom, confined round the waist, laced behind, and cut with a peak to fasten in the middle of the back. The front of the dress is made in one complete piece; the front is brought straight across the bosom, and the satin body is placed over it which forms a satin tucker to the bosom. A rich drapery of white lace is thrown carelessly over the shoulders. The hair is dressed in a new style; ornamented with a pearl crown placed over the right eye, necklace and bracelets to correspond; French kid gloves and white satin shoes.

Fig. No. 2—Opera Full Dress—A simple white muslin gown, made with a short train, and curicked round the bottom with a superb border of ruby foil, made perfectly plain, with a square back, and loose front, gathered into a band of white satin; the shoulder straps are also of white satin, which continue round the back; the sleeves are made short to cover only the top of the shoulder, gathered into a band of white satin, with scarcely any fullness to correspond. The dress is worn over white satin; a rich India ruby mantle, edged with gold, is suspended over the left shoulder, and conceals the arm. The hair is dressed plain, with a ruby handkerchief, tastefully placed across the head. Cornelian necklace and ear-rings. Shoes to correspond with the mantle and head-dress.

Gentlemen’s Dresses.

The Evening Dress of the circles of fashion still continues to be dark blue coats with large gilt buttons, with either a velvet collar, or of the same cloth, according to the fancy of the wearer; white quilting Marseilles waistcoat, single breasted; and light drab kerseymere breeches, with covered buttons and silk strings at the knees.

Such has been the prevailing dress during the month of February; and, as far as colours are worn, will doubtless continue for the present; but the approach of Lent will, in its usual course, introduce the wearing of black suits as the most genteel and most proper Evening Dress in all polite parties. The coat, will, of course, be made double-breasted, and in the same style of fashion as the coloured coats, and with covered buttons; and though black kerseymere waistcoats and breeches may be considered genteel, black silk Florentine will be more gentlemanly and fashionable.

Dark olive colour cloth great coats, single breasted, with covered buttons, and collars of the same clot; the forepart and skirts lined with silk of the same colour; and if with the addition of brown fur cuffs and collar the more fashionable. Silk loops on the forepart, with silk barrel buttons, and a trimming on the hip of the same, as mentioned in our last, constitute what may be termed a dress great coat for the Opera or Public Assemblies.