Habit of an English Lady in Autumn 1641

by Thomas Jefferys

Take a step back into the refined and tumultuous period preceding the English Civil War through the compelling historical fashion plate "Habit of an English Lady in Autumn, 1641." Created between 1757 and 1772 in London for the landmark costume history compilation book of Thomas Jefferys entitled A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations, the superb illustration is the handiwork of celebrated British illustrator Charles Grignion the Elder.

The fashion plate portrays the refined and transitional dress style of an English lady of nobility preparing herself for the cooler months of autumn in the 17th century. Combining the elements of lavish Caroline court fashions with the increasingly conservative tastes of the time, the dress reflects the changing fashion styles of the later period of King Charles I's reign. With its high-waisted cut, fluid lines, and intricate details, the plate provides not only a fine piece of art but an essential source document for historians and costumers.