Journal des Jeunes Personnes, 1 juillet 1864, 32e année : Toilettes d'Eté (...) 1864

This is a fashion plate titled 'Journal des Jeunes Personnes, 1 juillet 1864, 32e année : Toilettes d'Eté (...)' created by Carrache in 1864. The image presents an idealized vision of young women’s fashion during the Second Empire in France. The journal was aimed at young, bourgeois women, and the representation of these dresses speaks to the aspirations and expectations of femininity at the time. The detailed rendering of the garments, with their elaborate embellishments and carefully chosen fabrics, speaks to the importance placed on outward appearance and social presentation. The women are depicted in a serene outdoor setting. The clothing signified a woman’s status, but also restricted her physical movement. How did the material conditions of women at this time shape their identities and experiences? The journal not only reflected but also helped construct the roles of women, emphasizing beauty, domesticity, and social grace. It is a glimpse into the complex interplay between fashion, identity, and social norms in 19th-century France.