Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Mei 1807, No. 12: Capote de Mousseline... 1807

This is a fashion plate from the journal Elegantia, printed in 1807, showing a woman in a high-waisted gown and bonnet. The bonnet, or ‘capote’, is the focal point. Its shape echoes the protective head coverings worn throughout history, and its delicate muslin evokes a sense of purity and lightness, reflecting the Neoclassical fascination with flowing drapery inspired by ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. Consider how the bonnet has evolved from practical necessity to high fashion. Earlier, similar head coverings were worn by women of different classes for warmth and modesty. Now, reimagined in fine materials, the bonnet becomes an expression of status and taste. This image resonates with the enduring human impulse for transformation, using fashion as a vehicle for projecting ideals of beauty, status, and identity. The woman, framed by the bonnet, embodies a vision of femininity that captures the cultural aspirations of her time, a mirror reflecting not just outward appearance, but the inner landscape of desire and aspiration.