Petit Courrier des Dames, 1827, nr. 457 1827

This fashion plate, “Petit Courrier des Dames, 1827, nr. 457,” was made in Paris by an anonymous artist and depicts the height of French Neoclassical fashion. Published during the Bourbon Restoration, this print reflects the era's complex negotiation of gender roles through the lens of fashion. We see here not only a representation of contemporary style but also an insight into the performance of femininity expected of women in Parisian society. The elaborate dress and hairstyle, adorned with ribbons and pearls, speak to the visual codes of wealth, class, and taste. Consider how clothing was utilized to express personal identity and social standing. Notice how the garments’ design emphasizes elegance and poise, reflecting the period's focus on decorum. Fashion plates like these not only dictated trends, but also communicated societal norms, reinforcing ideals of femininity that both empowered and constrained women.