In 1822 a landmark fashion change was noticed in female dress

In 1822 a landmark fashion change was noticed in female dress, the waist which had been high for a quarter of a century, now resumed its normal position.
The essential lines of female costume during 1840's may be summarized here.The waist was low, and the lines of decoration on the bodice were designed to make it look even more so. The sleeves were either tight or had a bulge over the lower arm, the skirts were long and full. Bodies and skirt were usually made in one, with a back fastening by means of hooks and eyes, but from the middle of the decade it was possible to have a jacket bodice separate from the skirt. The jacket bodice was close fitting and buttoned down the front, which looked like a men's waistcoat and was sometimes a separate garment and sometimes joined to the jacket

FIG : YEAR 1831

Skirts were made to standout with lining, and sometimes there was an additional woolen lining added to the upper part of the skirt at the back. Many petticoats were worn and a teacosy effect was emphasized by the use of a small bustle made of horse hair.

There were four types of dresses used by ladies

1. The Pelisse robe
2. The redingote,
3. The round dress
4. The peignoir.

The pelisse-robe was worn indoors in the morning, the redingote was used as a walking dress and the rather more decorated round dress was worn in the afternoon. The peignoir was an informal dress worn only in the morning.Evening dresses were sleeveless, off the shoulder either straight across or with a slight dip in the middle