Little Mistress in a Polonaise Gown of painted linen trimmed with muslin, reading a letter. (1778)
Polonaise, open over the chest and closed in the middle of the waist, with wings that are developed in the front and a tail that blooms in the back.*
As the polonaise allows the sight of the chest in its brilliance, if you desire to excite curiosity you will require a fichu or a gauze handkerchief, folded back on itself and trimmed all around the edges: this gives a negligée appearance an air of decency which seems to add to its beauty.The Print represents a young lady reading a letter. Her gown is of linen painted with floral sprigs and narrow stripes; linen trimming in box pleats, sabot cuffs of the same and a little flared; very high volant, plain at the top* with box pleats.
Coiffure in racine droite, topped with a gauze pouf with a curved heron aigrette fitted to her head; four curls on each side, one of which is stylishly falling.
Watch cord of hair, equipped with sequins, key, seal, and a perfume bottle made of ostrich egg.
Shoes with high heels: buckles à la d'Artois, with the latchet of a different color than the rest of the shoe.
* I.e., rather than the wings being in the back with the tail, they're mostly in the front and the tail is rather full.
** Compare to previous plates, which had colored fabric over the top of the flounce.
