Journal des Tailleurs, Modes de Paris, 1 mai 1838, No. 392 : Modes de Longchamp (...) 1838

This is 'Journal des Tailleurs, Modes de Paris', a print made by Damours in France, 1838. It presents two smartly dressed men, illustrating the latest fashions in tailoring for the readers of a Parisian journal. Fashion journals like this one played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating bourgeois taste. Paris, during this period, was solidifying its position as a global capital of style and luxury. The detailed descriptions, and carefully rendered illustrations served as a guide for tailors and their clients, reinforcing a culture of aspiration and emulation. Consider the social stratification inherent in this image. Who could afford such tailored garments? How did these displays of sartorial elegance contribute to social identities and hierarchies? The rise of fashion journals reflected the growing importance of consumer culture and the desire for social mobility among the middle classes. To understand this print fully, we might consult archives of fashion journals, tailor’s bills, and conduct social histories of 19th century Paris. These will reveal the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society.