Ladies’ Fashion in 1808

Did you know… that with the French army’s invasion of Portugal, ladies’ fashions became more up to date, no longer lagging several years behind the styles worn in Paris?

“In 1808, women’s dresses were excessively low-cut, not only those worn to balls but also those worn for outings. The waistline was very short, just below the breasts or even cutting across them. Sleeves were very short, or there were no sleeves at all, with the bodice held in place on the shoulders by nothing more than ribbons. The dresses were short, leaving the feet clearly visible and sometimes even part of the legs. (…)

Gloves were very long, with some extending above the elbows. Shoes worn to balls were made of white satin.

Dresses worn outdoors were generally very long, low-cut and short-sleeved. Some had long sleeves with buttons at the wrists. A fichu and a shawl were the most commonly worn coverings.”

Bibliographical reference:

BENAVIDES, Francisco da Fonseca (2008). In the Time of the French. Lisbon: Tribuna, pp. 235–236.