In 1783, Marie Antoinette was the first to wear a new style of gown called the chemise gown or the chemise a la reine (chemise of the queen). This style of gown is seen in the portrait of Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun (left). This gown was typically white or pastel in color and made of thin, flowing cotton. It was a style inspired by the clothing of the European countryside and the writings of authors like Rousseau. Although deemed radical and immodest at first, some forward thinking (and fashion conscientious) aristocrats began wearing this style. However it would not be until after the death of Marie Antoinette that this style of gown would be adopted into the mainstream. By1802, all of fashionable Europe was wearing a reformed version of the chemise dress- a gown style we now refer to as the Empire style gown