Directoire

American  

[dee-rek-twar] / di rɛkˈtwar /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to the style of French furnishings and decoration of the mid-1790s, characterized by an increasing use of Greco-Roman forms along with an introduction, toward the end, of Egyptian motifs: usually includes the Consulate period.

2. (of costume) in the style of the period of the French Directory.

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noun

1. French History. directory.

Directoire British  

/ dirɛktwar /

noun

1. history the French Directory See Directory

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adjective

1. of, in, or relating to a decorative style of the end of the 18th century in France; a form of neoclassicism

2. characteristic of women's dress during the French Directory, typically an almost transparent dress with the waistline under the bust

Etymology

Origin of Directoire

From French; directory

Example Sentences

That gave the production its look, with costumes “from the Directoire period, roughly speaking, and a real sense of gothic decay,” McVicar said.

From New York Times • Sep. 25, 2022

The bones of Mabille’s apartment allude to that so-called Directoire style.

From New York Times • May 31, 2018

At Frank Partridge, there’s a gaudy, repellent yet fascinating Directoire ormolu mantel clock made in France in 1795.

From New York Times • Oct. 16, 2014

I am often struck by the historical parallels of the Directoire and the First Consulate.

From Time Magazine Archive

And besides, it would fit an elephant better than a Directoire gown would.”

From Patty's Success by Wells, Carolyn