Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 10 janvier 1810, (1030): Chapeau pointu (...) 1810

Pierre Charles Baquoy created this print, titled "Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien," in 1810, a time when fashion became a powerful indicator of social standing in post-revolutionary France. This image, seemingly a straightforward depiction of men’s fashion, reveals a complex interplay of identity, class, and gender. The dandy, with his meticulous attire, was an emerging figure, challenging aristocratic norms while reinforcing a new bourgeois order. The ‘chapeau pointu’ and ‘carrick’ weren’t just clothing items; they were statements, carefully constructed to navigate the shifting social landscape. One can imagine the emotional weight of these sartorial choices, a daily performance of identity in a society still grappling with the aftershocks of revolution. Does this figure represent a break from traditional masculine roles, or a perpetuation of class-based distinctions through new means? How might the women engaging with this fashion journal feel about these carefully constructed images of men? This print invites us to consider how clothing shapes our understanding of ourselves and others, reflecting the personal and societal tensions of a rapidly changing world.