Last week I showed you an 18th century fashion plate, and to a man (or lady) you agreed that it was terrible.  However, some of you thought it was so terrible that it became awesome.  And some of you thought it was a terribleness composed of lots of nice bits, just not together.  And some of you thought it was just terrible through and through.  So our galant nymph came in at 4.3 out of 10, which is the lowest rating we’ve had in at least two years!  Ah well, better to be memorable and terrible than not to be remarkable at all? This week, despite the HSF theme being Terminology, I was inspired by the upcoming theme #20: Alternative Universe, because there is something about this particular ensemble that strikes me as being quite out of time (and look, it’s even been sold by Time Traveller Antiques!), and also because I see it as being an interesting flip to last week’s frock. The late 18th century redingote inspiration of this late 1880s dress is …

Last week for Rate the Dress I showed a late Victorian walking dress, which the Mint Museum had styled as a skating suit.  The mad authentic steampunk-ness of the ensemble captured some of your fancies, but the overall response ranged from quite negative to ‘it’s nice, but I’m not impressed’, so 7.3 out of 10. My description came in at top points though! This week I present  another ‘walking’ dress, but this one with even less pretense of practicality: Believe it or not, this is an outfit for walking (in the late 18th century sense at least).  Our ‘galant nymph,’ parasol at the ready, is hastening (‘tranquilly’, no less) toward the Palais Royal. Her ensemble is described as  a robe a la Chinoise (I believe that is meant to be Chinese inspired, and the parasol probably added to the effect), with the skirt lifted up  to reveal her striped petticoat and tucked through the pocket  slits (retroussee). The nymph’s bodice is also striped, with a striking chevron placement going up the centre back, and uncharacteristic …