Le Moniteur de la Mode, 1879, No. 1657 : Toilettes de Mme Bréant-Castel (...) 1879

Edouard Tailland created "Le Moniteur de la Mode, 1879" as a print, which was a fashion plate for the journal “Le Moniteur de la Mode.” This image encapsulates the rigid social structures of the late 19th century, depicting two women adorned in elaborate dresses that speak volumes about the era's emphasis on appearance and status. These garments, with their layers of lace and intricate detailing, acted as both a symbol of wealth and a literal constraint on women's mobility and freedom. Consider the implications of these fashion choices in relation to gender roles, think about how the women's identities were, in a way, dictated by their clothing. The dresses reflect a society that prized decorum and conformity, particularly for women of a certain class. In viewing this image, we are invited to reflect on the performative aspects of identity and the complex interplay between self-expression and societal expectations.