Les Modes Parisiennes, 1856, No. 696 : Robe de la Mèr (...) 1856

This print, *Les Modes Parisiennes, 1856, No. 696*, by Montaut d'Oleron presents a snapshot of Parisian fashion during the Second Empire, a period marked by rapid industrialization and stark social stratification. The print illustrates the elaborate dresses and bonnets worn by affluent women and children. Visual codes like the layered skirts, delicate patterns, and carefully styled hair reflect the era's emphasis on outward displays of wealth and status. This image can be understood as a reflection of the social structures of its time, in which clothing served as a marker of class and a means of reinforcing social hierarchies. The "Modes Parisiennes" series played a significant role in shaping and disseminating these norms. We, as historians, might explore the influence of fashion magazines on the tastes and aspirations of the middle and upper classes. Examination of fashion plates, garment collections, and social commentaries would reveal a great deal about the social and institutional contexts that produced it.