Empire Period

The Empire Period brought a whole new fashion from the year 1800 to 1815. Napoleon Bonaparte's reign helped to birth what we know as the "Empire Fashion". Beginning in France this trend spread across Europe and North America.

Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck and his family, 1801–02, by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon

The empire style for women features dresses with a fitted bodice that ended just below the bust which gives high-waist appearance. The skirt is long, gathered and loosely fitting. Petticoats are no longer used to support the skirt although corsets are still worn underneath the dress. This silhouette is most flattering to pear shapes, as it disguises the stomach and emphasizes the bust, as well the high-waist gives the illusion of a longer, slimmer body.

French lady in 1808.

Men's fashion during this time also was highly influenced by Napoleon himself. Garments are manly and dignified. Influenced by the military style the trousers knitted or twill and the natural leather breeches are to be tight-fitting and provide a concept of the musculature of the body. To further the soldier look collars are thickly patted and the coat cloth lined. The cuff sometimes are pointed. The frockcoats were normally double-breasted, however would certainly come to be single-breasted towards the end of the Period.

Pierre Seriziat in riding dress, 1795. His snug leather breeches have a tie and buttons at the knee and a fall front.

To this day the empire waist and silhouette is still part of our modern fashion. Many stores sell summer dresses similar to those worn in the Empire period. Of course today if you wear such a dress there will be no need for you to wear an uncomfortable corset underneath - unless you want to! Here are some places were you can get an Empire Dress.

This dress would be perfect for prom, a graduation or if you are attending a fancy wedding!

Forte Forte pleated empire-line dress $1,074

And this one is a great option for that summer vacation we all want!

CA$62.67 Butterfly Sleeves Empire Waist Floral Kaftan Dress Summer Dress, Long Maxi, loungewear, beachwear, Maternity Dress, Holiday Vacation Wear

That is all for today! Comment if you own or want to own your very own Empire dress!