A style of dress or interior decoration from the French Directoire period (1795-1799), characterized by high waistlines and classical simplicity in fashion.
From French 'directoire,' referring to the Directoire government period following the French Revolution. The term borrowed the political name to describe the aesthetic movement that flourished during that era.
Directoire fashion was actually anti-fashion—it rejected the ornate excess of the aristocracy, embracing democratic simplicity through high waistlines and loose draping, proving that even 'naturalness' is a carefully constructed style statement.
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