Amazone (Riding Habit)
Also known as: Amazone (Riding Habit), Riding Habit, Amazone
Overview
An amazone was a women's riding habit designed for side-saddle equitation. The term comes from the legendary Amazons, warrior women of Greek mythology. In 19th-century French, "en amazone" meant wearing a riding habit and riding side-saddle — the only socially acceptable way for a lady to ride.
Description
The amazone typically consisted of:
- A long, full skirt (sometimes called a "riding skirt") that draped over the side-saddle
- A fitted jacket or bodice, often in a contrasting color
- A top hat (tube/chapeau haut-de-forme) or other riding hat
- Gloves and a riding crop
- Colors were usually dark (navy, black, grey) for elegance
Social Significance
Horseback riding was a prestigious social activity for women of the upper classes, and the amazone was itself a fashion statement. Marie notes her riding outfits with the same attention she gives to all her dress: "j'étais en amazone" appears as a fashion note alongside outfit ratings.
The amazone also indicated active, physical participation in outdoor life — riding was one of the few vigorous physical activities acceptable for women of Marie's class, alongside walking and, later, swimming.
Marie's Usage
- 1873-01-11 (carnet 001): "j'étais en amazone, puis j'ai changé de toilette à la promenade; une délicieuse robe bleue" — wearing her riding habit before changing into a blue dress
- 1874-11-07 (carnet 025): "amazone grise et tube" — grey riding habit with top hat
- Used repeatedly in Nice entries when Marie rides along the Promenade
Related Terms
- Toilette — general outfit/ensemble
- Tube — top hat (worn with amazone)
- Robe — dress (worn when not riding)
Most of this glossary was researched with the help of AI language models and checked against the sources cited; mistakes are possible. If you spot one, please report it with the button at the top of the page.