Fashion plate, 1860 V&A Museum no. E. 267-1942

A fashion plate is, literally, an illustration (a plate) demonstrating the highlights of fashionable styles of clothing. Lithography is a method for Printing using a plate or stone with a completely smooth surface

Used figuratively, as is most often the case, the term is a reference to a person whose dress conforms to the latest fashions.

In the early days of clothing manufacturing all over the world, plates or templates were used to recreate the same shape and size for dresses, skirts, shirts and so on. The fabric was placed over the plate and one cut around the plate to be left with the perfect size and shapes needed before heading the sewing room. Needless to say, if you were called a fashion plate, it meant you were always seen wearing the latest new cloths or designs. It was and is a complement unless you live in a society like the Amish that do not value outward adornment.