Caroline Weber, the author of Queen of Fashion: what Marie Antoinette wore to Revolution in 2006, is a specialized expert on eighteenth -century French literature. The authors focus primarily on the French Revolution and enlightenment. This book made me travel in a books competition and imagine myself as Marie Antoinette. At 14, she was a young princess who would later become a Queen. Each time I read the book I would think “is this how they behaved in those days?”
This book is a story that tells how Queens fashion became a way to fight against the cultural oppression and political animosity she faced during her 23 years of living in France. (Weber,2.) The most surprising part was reading this book. It made me realize that there was a Queen in history who was not content to sit under the “feet of her man” and listen to him. Marie Antoinette is a “hero”. She was not afraid to stand up for herself. Her dresses showed what she believed. Some authors have argued that Antoinette’s actions were more classified as “crimes of Fashion.”
I was shocked to learn that the Princess’ mother spent $400,000 to have her daughter’s teeth changed and hired a stylist who was also a Luis XV queen’s hairdresser, all because her hair was pulled back in the back. She was becoming bold. For me, this seems like something women would do for their husbands. They would make sure they stood out if their husband was wealthy. In the past and today women were expected to represent themselves and their spouses. It is also a problem for men, as they are the ones who represent themselves. I liked her fashion sense and how it could reveal more than her politics.
Marie Antoinette is a fashion icon that everyone tries to emulate! Some women even forced their men to go bankrupt. Marie Antoinette’s indictment for sexual license and lawlessness was brought about by men complaining they had no money. This happened because after women spent their husband’s cash, they would find new lovers. The women wanted to dress and wear the hairstyle of Queen Marie Antoinette. It was expensive. Queen was an example for women who did not want to spend their time at home with their kids or looking good in front of their husbands. They wanted their work to be recognized and to be heard. The Affair of Diamond Necklace occurred in 1785. After gossip tainted her reputation, it was revealed that the Queen had committed a crime in order to defraud Crown Jewelers of the price of a diamond necklace. This event is of historical significance as it contributed to disillusionment in the French population towards the monarchy. Disillusionment led, amongst other factors, to the French Revolution. When she dressed in green, the queen was showing people whether she agreed with their political views. It was an incredibly difficult thing to watch. Women said the color green represented Artois who they would not forgive. (Weber 238) If they are not interested in politics, they wear dresses. Men’s outfits became simpler. The fashion style changed from baroque into rococo, becoming lighter and more frivolous.
In the latter period, pastel colors were dominant, as well as a lot of frills and bows. The look was adopted by other European capitals after it spread out of France. Louis XIV stated that fashion reflects history. I agree with this statement. The old style fashion has also come back into fashion. Young people are wearing clothes they first thought were funny, but after seeing someone their age wear it, and how it looked on them, they too want to wear it. Fashion is always changing and it’s never dead. People change their fashion styles because they want to be noticed in the public. This is why they try to create their own look. In this story, the way women supported other women was admirable. Marie Antoinette’s life was not a constant one. She had different stages and yet women still wanted to copy her style.
The last thing that women wanted to do after Queen was killed by the guillotine was wear a thin, red ribbon around their throat. I think that Queen Marie Antoinette left a lasting impression on history. She was a woman of power, style, and fashion. Not everyone would have been able to endure what she went through. I believe that many women should read the book and be inspired by Marie Antoinette and her ability to deal with difficult situations.
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