à la grecque

Definition

À la grecque refers to a style of women's dress from the late 18th century that was characterized by its soft, flowing lines and neoclassical inspiration. This fashion embraced the simplicity and elegance associated with ancient Greek attire, often featuring high waistlines, lightweight fabrics, and draped silhouettes that accentuated the natural form, promoting an idealized vision of femininity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. À la grecque was popularized in France during the late 18th century, becoming a symbol of the Enlightenment's ideals about beauty and nature.
2. This style was often made from delicate muslin or cotton, which helped create an ethereal look that was lightweight and comfortable for wear.
3. The high waistline of à la grecque garments emphasized the bust and created a flowing drape that often fell to the floor or just above it, enhancing movement.
4. Women wearing à la grecque dresses typically accessorized with simple jewelry and classical hairstyles, reflecting the style's connection to ancient Greece.
5. This fashion was part of a broader shift in women's clothing towards more relaxed styles that prioritized comfort and freedom of movement over rigid structures like corsets.

Review Questions

• How did the à la grecque style reflect the cultural values of its time?
  • The à la grecque style reflected Enlightenment ideals of simplicity, beauty, and a return to nature. By embracing neoclassical influences from ancient Greece, this fashion represented a shift towards valuing natural forms and comfort in women’s dress. The high waistlines and flowing fabrics allowed for greater freedom of movement, aligning with contemporary ideas about femininity that favored softer silhouettes over restrictive garments.
• Discuss the relationship between à la grecque and the Chemise à la Reine in terms of design elements and cultural significance.
  • Both à la grecque and Chemise à la Reine share a commitment to comfort and elegance through lightweight materials and flowing designs. While à la grecque emphasized classical Greek aesthetics with its high waistlines and draping, Chemise à la Reine took this further by being even more casual and informal in style. Culturally, both styles marked a departure from the opulence of earlier fashions and reflected a growing desire for personal expression and natural beauty during the late 18th century.
• Evaluate the impact of neoclassicism on women's fashion during the late 18th century, specifically focusing on how it shaped styles like à la grecque.
  • Neoclassicism had a profound impact on women's fashion in the late 18th century by promoting styles that drew inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome. This influence is seen in the design elements of à la grecque, which emphasized classical proportions and a natural silhouette. The embrace of these ideals led to a significant transformation in how women expressed their identities through clothing, moving away from elaborate ornamentation to simpler forms that highlighted grace and femininity. This shift laid important groundwork for future fashion trends that continued to prioritize comfort and aesthetic purity.

Related terms

Chemise à la Reine: A light, loose-fitting gown worn by women in the late 18th century, which often had a high waist and was made of lightweight fabrics, embodying the same neoclassical influences as à la grecque.

Empire silhouette: A design style in women's fashion characterized by a high waistline just under the bust, flowing down into a skirt, popularized during the early 19th century and closely associated with à la grecque.

Neoclassicism:

An artistic and cultural movement that sought to revive the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, influencing fashion trends like à la grecque during the late 18th century.