Epaulettes in 18th century fashion/Green gown

In England in the late 18^th century to the early 19^th century it was remarked that it was hard to discern the wealthy from the poor. Hard but to the trained eye one could easily see the economical state of a person by the clothes they wore. The rich had brighter colored attire and more decorative dress than the poor. The rich also had well-tailored clothes fitting them snuggly.

The poor wore the discarded clothing of the rich which was most likely ill-fitting and duller than a newly purchesed piece of material commissioned for a specific gown. 

This gown is in the style worn in the Regency Period showcasing a type of epaulettes that became fashionable during the War with France—the green color symbolizing prosperity (ultimate victory) with the black ribbon in memory of those who died in battle.