Le Petit Echo de La Mode (April 4th, 1890)

Le Petit Echo de la Mode ("The Little Echo of Fashion") was published from 1880 to 1983 (with a name change to Echo de la Mode in 1955).  For most of its publishing run it took the form of a tabloid sized weekly, concentrating on fashion (naturally!) and craft, with a dash of fiction, cookery and general advice thrown in.

I have a number of issues published in the 20th century, but I recently obtained some issues from 1890.  They're now the oldest ones in my collection!  I thought I'd share them with you over the next few weeks.  We begin with the 4th of April 1890:

"Cette nouvelle saison est le triomphe de la jaquette; on la voit partout et sa form simple et dégagée habille àravir.  Nous en donnons dans ce numero un charmant modele pour jeune fille.  Pas de broderies, ni de galon autour de ce gentil vêtement simplement piqué au bord.  …  

"Ainsi que nous l’avons dit, l’écossais domine, mais un écossais sobre et de bon gout, composéde peu de teintes se dégradant avec harmonie: rouge, mais et beige, bleu mousse et vert printemps, tout les nuances se fondent ainsi entre elles."

[Roughly translated, this reads:

"This new season is the triumph of the jacket; it is seen everywhere and its simple and unobstructed form dresses to delight.  We give in this number a charming model for young girl.  No embroidery, no braid around this nice garment, just stitched to the edge… 

"As we have said, tartan dominates, but a sober and tasteful tartan, composed of few shades dissolving with harmony: red, corn and beige, moss blue and spring green, all shades melting together."]

That vivid description of colour suddenly brings all those black-and-white engravings to life!

Like most other fashion magazines for the middle classes, Le Petit Echo de la Mode offered to sell dressmaking patterns to its readers.  The entire female half of the family was catered for, from toddlers to grandmothers.  Below are some examples:

Left: Dress for a lady in woolen cloth.  Right: a jacket-coat in charcoal velvet with light revers.

Left: White and black striped silk dress for an older lady.  Centre: Coat for little girl in grey wool.  Right: Costume for an older lady toilet in burnt red velveteen.

Left: Bridal costume in white satin and brocade.  Right: Velvet dress in heliotrope and cream satin.