“At length Lady Susan, weary, I believe, of her situation, proposed walking; and we left the two gentlemen together, to put on our pelisses” (XX).
Pelisses are three-quarter length coats, sometimes with capes attached, that were popular in France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The fashion, like many others, expanded to England due to its popularity. Many pelisses were extravagant articles of clothing, trimmed with fur or satin. First designed for outdoor wear, the pelisse lost it’s desirability to be worn outside but remained in fashion for wearing indoors. Austen uses the pelisse, an expensive, fashionable article of clothing, to symbolize the high class nature, style, and manner that Lady Susan possesses.
Works Cited: Thomas, Pauline W. "Pelisse, Paletot and Pardessus Fashion History." Fashion History Costume Trends and Eras, Trends Victorians - Haute Couture. 25 Mar. 2009 http://www.fashion-era.com/Coats_history/pelisse_history_1.htm.
Image Credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/MORNING_DRESS_Pelisse_robe_of_striped_silk.jpg
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