Empire Style

Empire style is an early 19th-century French aesthetic from the Napoleonic era, built on neoclassical elegance and celebrating imperial grandeur alongside a revival of classical form. High-waisted empire silhouette gowns in white muslin are the defining garment. Short puffed sleeves sit at the shoulder. Neoclassical draping shapes the fall of the fabric. Long gloves reach up the arm, finished with laurel wreath or pearl accessories and shawl wraps.