] Six months was an acceptable maximum to mourn a parent in polite society; those of the lower orders probably didn't bother with the luxury of a special wardrobe for mourning. Even Jane Fairfax in Emma comments that her wedding to Frank will be delayed only for six months when his stepmother dies.

This would still mean that the peach-gown picknick ought to have been more sober in colour, if we believe Moody's calendar.

] And Kaarin, I believe that the robe a l'anglaise had nearly disappeared by 1795; that long bodice with the back en fourreau is not seen at all in the fashion plates after 1798.

This is true. The reason I mentioned the robe a l'anglaise is that the constuction of the back is rather similar to that of the open-front robe. That's what I meant by trend of simplification. Forgive me if I wasn't clear.