With the French Revolution female fashion changed radically. Busts and crinolines, stuffing and excessive frills were abandoned, suits were made simple. As politics of the era drew inspiration from Greek democracy, so women found their ideal attire in light dresses held at the shoulders with generously plunging necklines, in perfect neoclassic style.

The girls and women who adopted this style made history as the "Marvellous", "Les merveilleuses." The muslin used for their dresses was so transparent and light that it gave a glimpse of the whole body in its revolutionary nudity.
In 1795 it was Madame Tallien who set the trend in fashion. Count Barras’ lover and Paris council secretary, she challenged the climate of the city wrapped in an impalpable cream coloured "robe en chemise" in tulle, with only a light shawl as protection. Her hair was styled in a distracted fashion, much like the hair styles of Roman matrons, her eyelids were shiny from mother of pearl. She wore precious rings on the toes of her naked feet, and flat sandals with long laces, laced to her ankle. The “shirt dress” of the "Merveilleuses" was held under the breast by a ribbon so as to exalt the neckline. This line gave the origin to the following Empire Style, less eccentric and less audacious.