Directoire Revival Fashions 1888-1889 is a sequel to Bustle Fashions 1885-1887 and is organized the same way, except all the patterns are different. I haven't seen many patterns published for this period, when they were imitating the late 18th century. I love the redingote polonaises with the wide lapels (like an Incroyable coat from the French Revolution), and the high-waisted dresses with big sashes. Like most of the other Lavolta Press books, this one provides special rulers called apportioning scales, so you can enlarge each pattern to your size. For each pattern, several illustrations and descriptions are given for contemporary Butterick patterns. If you know how to swap pattern pieces and do fairly minor alterations, you can use the Butterick material to create several different looks from the same pattern. The chapters are:
Chapter 1, Introduction
Chapter 2, Undergarments, Negligee Wear, and Nightgowns
Chapter 3, Wrappers and Tea Gowns
Chapter 4, Skirts and Overskirts
Chapter 5, Ensembles with Bodices, Skirts, and Overskirts
Chapter 6, Ensembles with Polonaises (overdresses)
Chapter 7, Dresses (including evening dresses)
Chapter 8, Sports Outfits
Chapter 9, Jackets and Outerwear
Chapter 10, Trimmings (lots of pictures and descriptions, a few patterns)
Chapter 11, Accessories (mostly millinery and neckwear, otherwise similar to chapter 10)
Every chapter has an introduction with quotes from Harper's Bazar and a period dressmaking manual, with information on construction, fabrics, colors, etc. I haven't tried sewing any of the patterns yet, but since I like the ones in the other Lavolta Press books I don't expect to be disappointed.