Shop the Style: Marie Antoinette Edition

More than 250 years later, Marie Antoinette’s influence on fashion remains as relevant as ever, from the romantic chemise à la reine to towering, curled poufs. Here are a few ways to shop the look.

The chemise à la reine was made famous by Marie Antoinette in the early 1780s, after Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun painted the Queen wearing the gown. Originally considered an undergarment, the loose-fitting dress was made from imported white muslin and soon inspired other members of the nobility to abandon their heavy, traditional court dresses.

In 18th-century France, the decorative fan evolved from a practical object into an essential fashion accessory and symbol of status, elegance, and refinement.

Marie Antoinette carried hers year-round, making it part of her signature style and even using its gestures to add drama and expression to social interactions.

Marie Antoinette’s towering poufs became a defining symbol of her influence, with elaborate designs used to celebrate everything from military victories to royal milestones.

Adorned with feathers, jewels, and elaborate hair ornaments, some rose as high as three feet and were heavily copied among her peers, cementing her reputation as a fashion leader while contributing to resentment toward the monarchy.

At Versailles, Marie Antoinette’s elaborate jewelry was part of her visual language, signaling the wealth and grandeur of the Bourbon monarchy. She transformed precious stones, pearls, feathers, and jeweled accessories into her distinctive personal style that heavily influenced European fashion.