A witzchoura (sometimes witz-chouras) was a type of
mantle,
pelisse, or sleeved
cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment worn over clothing, mostly but not always as outerwear for outdoor wear, which serves the same purpose as an overcoat and protects the wearer from the weather. It may form part of a uniform. People in many d ...
, with a large collar and, sometimes, a hood,
[ that was particularly fashionable in the early 19th century.]polonaise
The polonaise (, ; , ) is a dance originating in Poland, and one of the five Polish folk dances#National Dances, Polish national dances in Triple metre, time. The original Polish-language name of the dance is ''chodzony'' (), denoting a walki ...
. Like the original hussar
A hussar, ; ; ; ; . was a member of a class of light cavalry, originally from the Kingdom of Hungary during the 15th and 16th centuries. The title and distinctive dress of these horsemen were subsequently widely adopted by light cavalry ...
's pelisse, it was typically lined with fur.
The witzchoura is said to have emerged about 1808, soon after Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
met with his Polish mistress, Marie Walewska,[ and was worn throughout the first half of the 19th century. Versions of the witzchoura were still being worn for travelling in 1849.]
See also
References
1808 introductions
19th-century fashion
Mantles (clothing)
Polish clothing
{{fashion-stub