In 1806 the main dress styles were classified into morning, walking, and evening dress.

Morning dresses were usually designed with high collars or ruffs split open in the front,or were cut low and worn with a collarless habit shirt underneath. Bodices laced or buttoned up the back, with long sleeves, and deep borders of embroidery around the hems. Trains were out, and popular fabrics included muslin and cambric, with fluting and lace trim in abundance.

Walking dresses usually had trains, called 'public dusters', and were made in hail-stone muslin, striped muslin, or corded cambrics.

Evening dresses were of gold and silver lame, or expensive muslins. Square necks and low backs were all the rage, with short full sleeves. Both bosoms and arms were well exposed. Petticoats were of satin.

Overgarments of this time were spencers, pelisses, cloaks and shawls. Popular materials for pelisses were velvet (usually black), sarcenet, nankeen and silk, with ribbon and mohair trimmings. Cloaks were three-quarter length, sometimes styled as mantles with hoods of silk, lace or muslin. Shawls were squarecut, of mohair, and attached to the shoulder with a loop.

Shoes of this period were high and tied or laced for walking with a small, flat heel. Evening shoes were either kid or satin, almost always adorned with white rosettes.

Stockings were usually rose or white silk with narrow clocks.

White kid, Limerick or York tan gloves were worn for evening, with fans and opera glasses often part of the ensemble. Fringed parasols in green, purple or parti-colored silk and large hoop earrings accompanied the ladies on their walks. Hair bracelets over the glove wrists were popular, as were blazing diamonds.

---On to 1807....