Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 20 septembre 1885, 14e Année, No. 716: Toilettes de la M.on Vidal (...) 1885

A. Chaillot made this print, titled "Revue de la Mode," in France in 1885, and it was published in a fashion magazine. The print depicts two women in elaborate dresses, set within the home. Such fashion plates functioned as both aspirational and instructional images, reinforcing the importance of appearance in constructing and maintaining social status. The dresses themselves reveal much about the values of the time: the tight corsets, long skirts, and high necklines reflect the era's emphasis on modesty and restraint for women, while the luxurious fabrics and intricate detailing signal wealth and refinement. The broader historical context, including factors such as industrialization, the rise of the middle class, and evolving gender roles, all played a role in the creation and consumption of images like this. By examining fashion plates alongside other sources, such as diaries, letters, and social commentary, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural landscape of 19th-century France.