Paris Fashions for November (from the 1849 “Illustrated London News”)

Paris Fashions for November

Illustrated London News (3 November 1849): 301.

See commentary below.

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Commentary and caption from the Illustrated London News

Though the mildness of the autumn still invites the ladies to continue their summer dresses, the winter fashions are not any the more in arrear; and the first cold weather will bring them out. Meanwhile, velvet jackets for the atternoon, and cashmere ones for the morning, are generally worn; and this fashion is so convenient and becoming, that though it is at least two years old, it is far from being given up, and always looks graceful and new. These jackets are made very high, fitting closely to the figure, and the fronts are rounded off over the skirt. Some are worn with capes turned back on the chest, like the collar of a coat; but these are less becoming and less fashionable. Our Engraving gives a very exact idea of them.

Dresses à la Hongroise are very elegant for visiting. Brocaded or figured striped silks are the handsomest: a large velvet tablier to match the darkest shade of the silk ornaments the front of the skirt. The boddice [sic] is high, and is covered over with two wide velvet pieces falling upon the shoulders, and terminating in a point at the waist; a row of pearl or steel buttons attaches these capes and the velvet tablier: the sleeves, à jockey, with a thick silk cord, and trimmed with velvet; are worn large puffings of tulle, drawn in at the velvet, on which steel bracelets are worn. Dresses in front appear still much in vogue, be it for dinner or evening dress. The slips are made of extremely light colours, so as to form a contrast with the over skirt, and are trimmed with lace flounces for grande toilette, or with a deep silk embroidery for more simple dress. The front of the overskirt, trimmed with lace or embroidered, is rounded off like a court dress, as may be seen in the Engraving. The boddice of the dress is made half high, open in front; a richly embroidered chemisette to accord with the slip, or trimmed like it with little flounces one above the other, ornaments the chest. Long chevalières form the sash. They are usually made of silk, especially for dresses demi habillées, for evening parties; they are nearly always of gold or silver cord. These dresses, composed of such numerous decorations, should be made with the greatest taste, as much for the choice of colours as for the cut; without this they will be somewhat theatrical, and not comme il faut.

The shape of the bonnets is more balloné than ever; the pokes are lined with white satin, quilted. The trimmings are very simple: a bunch of feathers at the side, or a number of small feathers placed round the shape, is the most récherché ornament. Beaver bonnets will be much worn this winter. The caps under the bonnets are made very small, and consist of a ruche à plis crevés, of narrow satin ribbon, placed all round the interior of the bonnet. These ruches are very becoming, and suit well either bandeaux gauffreés or long curls.

The style of dress for little girls scarcely varies; the corsages à la vierge with capes are always preferred, with chemisettes plaited à la Suissesse. The fine linen is constantly improving. Small plain collars for the morning are replaced by collars on which are two rolls of fine cambric, trimmed with very fine narrow Valenciennes. The cuffs are made of the same.

You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Internet Archive and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.

Bibliography

“Paris Fashions for November.” Illustrated London News (3 November 1849): 301. Hathi Trust Digital Library version of a copy in the University of Michigan Library. Web. 9 December 2015. The passage quoted above was created using ABBYY FineReader to render the Hathi Digital Library images into text. — George P. Landow

Last modified 10 December 2015