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Robe à la française

ca. 1760
Not on view
The chief characteristic of eighteenth-century women's dress is the rigid encasement of the upper body by means of a corset that configures the torso. Light, elaborately patterned fabrics are pinned or anchored loosely to this understructure. Both menswear and womenswear have lace at the collar and cuffs. The skirts of the time are supported by cane hoops to create ballooning volumes: the open robe consists of a connected bodice and an overskirt parted in front to reveal a matching petticoat.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Robe à la française
  • Date: ca. 1760
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: silk
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Catherine D. Wentworth, 1948
  • Object Number: 48.187.709a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

More Artwork

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Robe à la française, silk, pigment, linen, British
Robe à la française
British
1740s
Robe à la française, silk, linen, cotton, British
Robe à la française
British
ca. 1760
Robe à la française, silk, French
Robe à la française
French
1750–75
Robe à l'anglaise, silk, French
Robe à l'anglaise
French
1785–87
Court dress, silk, metallic thread, British
Court dress
British
ca. 1750

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