Gazette du Bon Ton. Art – Modes & Frivolités: Evening Attire

If the price of the Gazette du Bon Ton was steep, that of the clothes pictured was exorbitant. Evening attire was especially luxurious, consisting chiefly of silk garments decorated with gold and silver thread or expensive fur. Naturally, clothes like these called for costly accessories, which a true lady wore sparingly. An outfit had to work as a whole: all of the details, from headbands to high-heeled shoes, had to fit together. And that, in turn, required money, time, care and, most importantly, bon ton (good taste).