Wowza!
I
rather think that this Kensington Garden Walking Dress from the July 1809’s La
Belle Assemblée can only be described as a complete and utter show-stopper. Can't you just see eyes widening and heads whipping around as our young lady,
attired thus, ambles through the park on a fine early summer day!
The
accompanying text reads as follows: A spenser bodice
of pale pink sarsnet. White muslin dress, with double row of scollop lace
forming a light flounce round the bottom, over which is worn a black lace
mantle and train. Egyptian bonnet, composed of pink sarsnet and antique lace.
Shoes and gloves of pale yellow. Amber necklace and earrings. Hair after the
Egyptian manner. Parasol of pink and brown shot, with white fringe.
The
pink spenser (with a slightly military air lent by the simple frogging down the
front) and white muslin dress with rows of lace around the hem seem ordinary
enough for a nice stroll along garden paths. The Egyptian bonnet, which looks
like the offspring of a tricorn hat and a turban, wakes things up a bit, and
the pink and brown shot (taffeta? silk?) parasol with white fringe is charming…
But
then the ensemble takes a turn into Hollywood fantasy costume with that black
lace mantle, set on the shoulders with a dramatic flaring collar (tied with a
prosaic little cord!) It’s got an almost science fictional feel to it, that collar—but the lace turns that on its head and into I don’t know what!
And dragging on the ground (yes, that’s right—a lace mantle as part of a walking dress.) Is it conspicuous consumption, utter frivolity, or...or what?
I
think I need a little lie-down now—this print packs a wallop! How about you?
Would you wear this on your next foray into Kensington park?
1 comment:
I'd definitely wear it. I love the cape an the pink.
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