Petit Courrier des Dames, 1825, No. 354 : Pardessus en drap à boutons (...) 1825

This fashion plate titled Petit Courrier des Dames was made in Paris in 1825 by an anonymous artist, and was printed using engraving and etching. This print offers a snapshot into the sartorial codes of the French upper class, with its depiction of a man in a tailored overcoat and a child in a stylized Scottish outfit. The image speaks volumes about the construction of identity through clothing and the performance of social roles. The man's attire, with its emphasis on cut and detail, signifies wealth and status. The child's costume exoticizes Scottish culture, turning it into a fashionable commodity for the Parisian elite. The print evokes the era's fascination with appearances and the intricate social rituals surrounding fashion. It prompts us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of dressing, and how clothing can both reflect and reinforce societal hierarchies. It embodies how fashion can be a tool for expressing personal identity and for participating in broader cultural trends.