Marie Antoinette was a young teenager when she first arrived in France to marry Louis XVI. She was the daughter of an Austrian empress, and was expected to make a favorable impression on the French court.
As such, she quickly learned the political importance of fashion and appearances. Her mother taught her how to dress appropriately for each occasion, and Marie soon acquired a reputation for being one of the most stylish women in Europe.
Her lavish gowns, intricate hairstyles, and elaborate jewelry were carefully chosen to reflect her status as queen – all of which sent a message of affluence, power, and reverence throughout Europe’s royal courts.
The political value placed upon Marie Antoinette’s clothing extended far beyond her own courtly duties; it also served as an extension of her husband’s foreign policy objectives.
As a teenager, Marie Antoinette was taught the political importance of fashion and appearances.
The young and vivacious Marie Antoinette was well known for her love of fashion. But it wasn’t just about vanity for the future Queen of France, but rather a political tool to be used in an ever-changing royal court.
As a teen, Marie Antoinette learned how important her use of fashion could be as a way to express her power within the court. Her mother Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, took notice and personally taught her daughter lessons on the importance of appearances and their correlation with politics.
Her lesson included styling advice such as wearing certain colors or fabrics based on their symbolism at court. Marie’s tutelage also included the importance of demeanor and behavior when making public appearances in order to gain allies and influence decisions by those in power.
