Half Dress.(From Volume II no. X (2nd Series) Plate 23 of Ackermann's Repository of Arts....)
The following text accompanied the image: 
"A Gown of lilac sarsnet, cut low round the bust, which is trimmed with pink ribbon, disposed so as to form a wreath; the shape of the back is marked by bands of pink, and a large bow, in the French style, ornaments the middle of it at the bottom. The back is full; a plain light front forms the shape in most becoming manner. Long full sleeve, composed of clear muslin, trimmed at the wrist with a single row of lace, and finished by a pink bow. Fichu [a small, triangular shawl worn round the shoulders or neck] to crrespond, very full trimmed round the throat with lace. The bottom of the skirt is edged with pink, and trimmed with a single flounce of blond lace, set on very full, and surmounted by a wreath of French roses. Cornette [headwear, with points similar in shape to a wimple] composed of tulle, finished by a quilling of blond round the face, and fastened by a pink bow under the chin; a bow to correspond ornaments it on the forehead, and a bunch of flowers is placed very far back on the head. The style of this cornette, though French, is so simply elegant and becoming, that we have not for some time seen any half-dress cap to equal it. Plain gold ornaments. White kid gloves, and white kid slippers with pink rosettes."
 
The Half Dress illustrated here is trimmed with roses. Roses were the theme of October 1816's two fashion plates, the other being a Ball Dress. The ink of the 'lilac sarsnet', has darkened over time.  almost black shade here.
 
The Repository of Arts was an illustrated periodical which focused on art, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics. It was published by Rudolph Ackermann from 1809-1828. The Repository influenced fashion, architecture and literature during the Regency and late Georgian period. It included plates showing paintings, furniture and objects as well as two or more anonymous fashion plates such as the one here per number, sometimes with with one or two figures and occasionally a piece of fine furniture. 

 
Published Oct 1st 1816 in Ackermann's Repository of Arts....