Gown “à la française”

This sack-back gown is made of taffeta. This style of gown was highly fashionable among the aristocracy and high bourgeoisie in the mid 18th century.

  • taffeta: a silk plain weave fabric.

It is topped here with a rectangular shawl known as a “Marie-Antoinette,” traditionally edged with elaborately worked lace featuring a pattern of leaves and flowers or fruits. Here, it features 5 bouquets of roses.