Strafe
Gold
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- Jun 7, 2020
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The fashion of the Napoleonic era mogs every other time period into irrelevance.
For men, it allowed significant personal expression while maintaining a clear masculine character. The Napoleonic man would look as comfortable in the ballroom as he would blowing a golf ball sized hole in a man with a smootbore dueling pistol for bumping into him at the tavern.
Military men, especially cavalrymen and officers, could acceptably incorporate their uniforms into their everyday lives. Hussars, light cavalry who often charged headlong into cannon and musket fire, were allowed to display their bravery for all to see with ornate uniforms and decoration.
Even governmental positions offered divine drip to their office holders. Consider the uniform assigned to the office of the Consulate, briefly the highest office in the French republican government.
Compared to the bland suit and tie standard to any serious politician today
Women’s fashion was also redefined by the revival of interest in classical art and politics. During the Republic and First Empire, women’s fashion took on many elements associated with the ancient romans and Greeks. Flowing white linens accented with exotic sashes and silks replaced stuffy corsets and dresses.
To be clear, I’m not necessarily advocating for a return to codpieces and puffy waist high pants; I’m just saying that I’d like to see modern fashion rediscover some of the things that made this era special.
For men, it allowed significant personal expression while maintaining a clear masculine character. The Napoleonic man would look as comfortable in the ballroom as he would blowing a golf ball sized hole in a man with a smootbore dueling pistol for bumping into him at the tavern.
Military men, especially cavalrymen and officers, could acceptably incorporate their uniforms into their everyday lives. Hussars, light cavalry who often charged headlong into cannon and musket fire, were allowed to display their bravery for all to see with ornate uniforms and decoration.
Even governmental positions offered divine drip to their office holders. Consider the uniform assigned to the office of the Consulate, briefly the highest office in the French republican government.
Compared to the bland suit and tie standard to any serious politician today
Women’s fashion was also redefined by the revival of interest in classical art and politics. During the Republic and First Empire, women’s fashion took on many elements associated with the ancient romans and Greeks. Flowing white linens accented with exotic sashes and silks replaced stuffy corsets and dresses.
To be clear, I’m not necessarily advocating for a return to codpieces and puffy waist high pants; I’m just saying that I’d like to see modern fashion rediscover some of the things that made this era special.
