La Mode Illustrée, Journal de la Famille, 1882 1882

This print titled, La Mode Illustrée, Journal de la Famille, was created in 1882, by Firmin-Didot & Cie. It’s a fashion plate, a kind of advertisement targeting the aristocratic ladies of Paris during the Belle Époque. As we consider the social construction of femininity, we can view the print as both reflecting and shaping norms of gender and class. The elaborate, constricting garments of the two women tell us about the limited roles available to women in society, where appearance and marriageability are paramount. Notice that the women are light-skinned. Their clothes mark them as affluent and white. The ladies are enjoying an afternoon stroll, but these garments are designed to restrict movement. Do they look free? The parasols offer a veneer of protection from the sun, but ultimately they symbolize the constraints placed on women’s lives. We can interpret the image not only as a display of fashion, but as a statement of the emotional and physical experiences of women in that era.