Melanie Palsky on Jones, "Coquettes and Grisettes: Women Buying and Selling in Ancient Regime Paris"

Jenifer Jones' article elaborates on the cultural influences that influenced negative views of Marie Antoinette's relationship to her female dressmaker, Rose Bertin. The culture of this time period had experienced a shift of focus from men shopping for 'women', to women shopping for their own personal luxuries. Not only did this cause fear that women would become corrupted and swayed from their virtuous nature and calling of motherhood, but it also blended the class distinction lines; all women were interested in the newest fashions. These changes brought a flurry of arguments on the capabilities of women and what their role is and should be in fashion markets.

Jones argues that this shift in gender roles in the market changed the work place roles of women and men in stitching, sewing, and creating fashionable clothes. Men tried to restrict women’s occupations to sewing and stitching to preserve their virtuous natures and keep them out of prostitution. However, Jones appears to argue that this pay restriction might have actually forced some women to resort to this exact same solution to poverty.

This article should be classed under gender and employment and work. This article explains there was a shift in gender roles of women due to their employment and their work, along with the fashion trends and breakdown of class distinctions.