Description: This lightweight silk close-bodied gown was embroidered in tambour stitch worked with a tambour hook (similar to a very fine crochet hook). The fashion in the 1780s was for large white cotton handkerchiefs worn bunched up in the front over the chest. These were called neckerchiefs or buffons and caused comment: “Ladies with neckerchiefs puffed up so high their noses were scarcely visible”.