Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 15 juillet 1831, (2904): Chapeau de feutr (...) 1831

This fashion plate, crafted by August Delvaux in 1831, captures Parisian style through its detailed depiction of clothing. Note the dominant symbol: the hat. A tall, cylindrical form that sits atop the figures’ heads, immediately conveying status and formality. From antiquity to the present day, headwear has signified identity, origin, and social standing. Consider the miters of bishops, crowns of royalty, or the Phrygian caps donned during the French Revolution. In this print, the hats, though secular, echo this tradition. The hats symbolize the wearer's place within the social hierarchy, much like the elaborate wigs of the 18th century. The collective memory of such symbols—passed down through fashion and art—shapes our perception, creating a subconscious connection between attire and social identity. This engraving invites us to reflect on the ever-evolving, cyclical nature of these sartorial symbols and their enduring impact on our subconscious understanding of status.