Modes de Mme. Antonie Lalanne, No. 791, from Le Moniteur de la Mode 1848

Jules David created this fashion plate, “Modes de Mme. Antonie Lalanne, No. 791,” to be included in the French fashion periodical *Le Moniteur de la Mode*. The print offers us a glimpse into the world of mid-19th century French fashion and the aspirations of its wearers. Here we see two women adorned in the height of bourgeois fashion. The dresses’ wide skirts and fitted bodices celebrate an hourglass figure, achieved with the help of corsetry. Note how the garments allude to social status and feminine ideals. This was a period of strict gender roles, where women were expected to embody elegance and refinement. “Fashion is the mirror of history,” so this print reflects not just clothing styles, but also the values and social hierarchies of the time. Consider the emotional weight of these garments. Clothing was a powerful means of expressing identity and belonging. Fashion plates like these offered women a chance to participate in a visual culture that both constrained and empowered them. What do you feel when looking at this image?