Journal des Demoiselles, 1er Avril 1882

Description

Journal des Demoiselles was one of the most renowned women’s magazines published in 19th-century France. Founded in Paris in 1833, it appealed primarily to young girls (demoiselles). While covering topics such as fashion, literature, music, morality, education, and social etiquette, the magazine also served as a cultural guide shaping the era's understanding of female identity and elegance. It was noted for its colorful fashion engravings, sewing patterns, and illustrations of European fashion. Published for nearly a century (1833-1922), the Journal des Demoiselles emphasized themes of female education, elegance, and moral refinement in French bourgeois society and, like other magazines of the period (La Mode Illustrée, Le Follet, Les Modes Parisiennes, etc.), played a pioneering role in the development of the women's press. This elegant fashion engraving was published in the Journal des Demoiselles in April 1882. The engraving depicts two adult women and a child. The woman on the left wears a light-colored, layered, and ruffled walking dress. The corseted bodice accentuates the waist, while the draping and ruffles at the tail of the skirt highlight the voluminous back silhouette of the bustle era. The feather and fur trim on her hat represent the elegance of spring fashion. The woman in the center wears a rich brown, velvet and silk blend visiting dress. It has a high collar, button front, and is adorned with white lace shirt details on the inside. This combination reflects the era's notion of "moral simplicity" combined with luxurious textures. The child figure wears a high-collared, pleated dress that reaches below the knee, typical of Victorian children's fashion. Blue socks and a hat with a ribbon exemplify gender-neutral children's clothing.