The Mirror of the Graces, written by “a Lady of Distinction,” is an early nineteenth-century guide to combining elegance, simplicity, and economy in dress. It offers detailed instructions on attire suited to age and occasion, alongside hints on female accomplishments, manners, and the preservation of health and beauty.
A classic of Regency-era advice literature, the book reveals the ideals of taste and decorum that governed fashionable women. Its counsel ranges from the cut of a gown to the cultivation of graceful deportment. A much-cited source for the dress and manners of the Regency, it is offered here as a free EPUB download.