Mourning

A table of mourning regulations in France, published in 1765 prescribes a period of six months for parents, and one year and six weeks for a husband. Dress during mourning was also stipulated; for example, a widow should wear black wool for her ‘first mourning of six months, then black silk for a comparable period, which was designated as ‘second mourning’. During the final six weeks of ‘half mourning’ she should wear black and white. Women’s magazines of the 1790s described black satin and velvet as fashionable mourning fabrics. In wealthy establishments the servants as well as family members could go into mourning, and persons attending a funeral were expected to dress appropriately. Men often wore black cloaks, sashes, and hatbands, and women might wear black hoods.