Galerie des Modes, 10e Cahier, 3e Figure

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Young Lady in a Polonaise with Circassienne sleeves, trimmed with filet lace manchettes, 
and coiffed in a baigneuse with two filet lace lappets. (1778)

Naturalists, with their experience, teach us that the mixture of different species only produces monsters: it is not the same in the kingdom of costume, the empire of Fashion.  The alliances between clothes of different genres, of diverse types, often create very agreeable results: it is that which has happened to the mixture one is advised to make between the polonaise and the circassienne; it has resulted in a very graceful gown, which can be seen in this print.

The wings and tail are of a polonaise, the body and sleeves are circassienne, with the tassels which hold in the sleeves of the gown and leave uncovered the second sleeves, decorated with filet lace manchettes in two rows; the trimming is in pleated gauze, cut in the center by a large ribbon without pleats or bouillons; the volant matches the trim, and is headed with a similar ribbon.

Medium cap with flat lappets, pulled up peasant-style and framed with ribbon with matching barriers; over the papillon a roll of gauze, attached with jasmine flowers and forming bouillons crossed with diversely-colored ribbons and placed in lozenges.

The bonnet must be very raised and placed in back to allow a chien couchant hairstyle to be free, with a very high phisionomie; very little nageoires and the chignon very low.


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