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Historical Notes: Chemise a la Reine

This gown was inspired by the Portrait of Madame Seriziat by Jacques- Louis David painted in 1795.
It depicts a woman wearing a chemise a la reine.

A chemise a la reine was traditionally a white cotton fully gathered gown. However, this dress has been documented in a variety of soft pastels and prints as well. It was often worn over multiple full petticoats. This gown is the forerunner to the Grecian inspired gowns of the early 19th century.

This style of gown originated in France and was inspired by the dress of the pastoral countryside. It quickly spread throughout Europe and America and was prominent from the 1780s to 1800.

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





Maggie May's Chemise a la Reine
shown over only a chemise




Source: Tortora, Phyllis and Keith Eubank. Survey of Historic Costume: 3rd Edition. Fairchild Publications, 1998.
Historical Notes are for educational purposes only. Please note that all images are copyrighted. 
Text copyright Susan Jarrett.