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Historical Notes: The muslin gown


This gown was inspired by the Portrait of Madame Seriziat by Jacques- Louis David painted in 1795.

David was a famous for his paintings with the idealized figures of revolutionary France.
The portrait depicts a woman wearing a later version of the chemise a la reine, often referred to as a gaulle dress, and known in America as the "muslin gown."

The chemise dress was made famous by France's Marie Antoinette and was the official dress of her countryside estates. This style of gown was quickly adopted by fashionable European ladies, those living in Europe's tropical colonies, and in America. Though labeled radical at first, this style of dress became extremely popular in the later part of the 18th century. This style of dress was prominent in America from the 1790s to about 1800.

Traditionally white in color, this style of dress has also been documented in a variety of soft pastels and small prints as well. In England, it was worn over a small roll attached at the back of the corset. This gown is the forerunner to the high waisted, Grecian- inspired gowns typical of the early 19th century.

For more information on this time period, visit our costume history page here.




Maggie May's muslin gown
shown over a chemise
Historical Notes are for educational puroses only. Please note that all images are copyrighted. 
Text copyright Susan Jarrett.