Petit Courrier des Dames, 1825, No. 348 : Robe de gros de Naples (...) 1825

This is an engraving from the Petit Courrier des Dames, a French fashion magazine published in 1825. The image offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of the Bourbon Restoration. Magazines like these were instrumental in shaping and disseminating the latest trends in clothing and accessories. The detailed description beneath the image tells us that the dress is made of "gros de Naples," a type of silk, trimmed with a cut flounce; the hat is satin adorned with flowers and lace, and the shawl is of French cashmere. This level of specificity speaks to the growing importance of fashion as a marker of social status and taste. By examining sources like trade journals and museum records of textile production, we can learn about the economic and cultural forces that drove the fashion industry in early 19th-century France. The image invites reflection on the public role of fashion and its power to reflect and shape social norms.