Antique hand coloured fashion copper plate engraving/etchings revealing the contemporary fashion of the hsitorical eras.

In the 1700 and 1800's British , French and American periodicals catered to women with features on homemaking, decorating, literature and tops for self improvemen. By the late 1700's they began including printed illustrations of up-to-date fashion trends, although still some distance from the mass production of the 20th century!

The illustrations were invaluable sources for dressmakers, seamstresses, and tailors who custom crafted wardrobes for individual customers and helped accelerate the trend to change styles seasonally.