Habit of a Young Woman in Russia in 1765

by Thomas Jefferys

The magnificent copperplate engraving dating to 1765, produced by Thomas Jefferys, offers an invaluable historical perspective on the costume worn by members of the Russian Empire in its Enlightenment period. This particular illustration has been included in the collection of A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations, published by Thomas Jefferys, providing insight into the unique combination of Slavic style clothing and Western European fashion.

The young lady is dressed in a typical Sarafan, which is a traditional long dress without any sleeves worn over the shirt that is made of white linen. This costume highlights a period of significant changes regarding the fashion trends of the time: although decades ago, Peter the Great ordered the nobility to wear Western clothing, this traditional "Habit" retained its importance.