Ladies Monthly Museum, 1798 : Morning Dress for Sep.r 1798 1798

This is an engraving from *Ladies Monthly Museum*, showing morning dress for September 1798. The engraving appeared in a popular magazine that helped to construct an ideal of femininity during the late 18th century. Fashion plates like this one helped to circulate new ideas and styles. They were published at a time of rapid social and political change, especially in post-revolutionary France where fashion became a way to express identity. The relatively simple, flowing lines of the dress in this print, and the lack of heavy ornamentation, reflect a broader shift towards neoclassicism. This was an artistic and cultural movement that drew inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome. Prints like this offer insights into the social norms and aspirations of the time. Art historians analyze fashion plates alongside letters, diaries, and conduct manuals to develop a deeper understanding of the period. Through this kind of research, we can appreciate the nuances of daily life in the past.