All posts filed under: 18th Century

The 18th century wedding dress: then, and now

The 18th century was the dawn of the modern wedding dress: it saw the first emergence of white dresses as a trend, the first dresses specifically for weddings, and it is the oldest century from which we have a reasonably large selection of extent dresses. The 18th century is also a very popular era among this blog readers, and is a stunning, and unusual (at least at the moment) era to draw dress inspiration from. So let’s look at some 18th century wedding gowns, and some more recent 18th century inspired wedding gowns. First, a complete ensemble with excellent provenance, from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. No, it’s not white. And most modern brides aren’t into bonnets, but it still has so many elements I would instantly steal as a wedding dress designer. That fabulous quilted petticoat… The pinked fabric framing the face and bust… The beautiful sleeve ruffles… Or you could just wear the dress exactly as it is, as it’s already a thing of beauty. Next, another coloured wedding dress. The shape …

Beautiful shoes to admire from afar, and beautiful shoes to own

Published by The Dreamstress

I love shoes. And as a fashion and textile historian, I often find myself nose to glass (or computer screen), drooling over a fabulous pair of antique shoes which I will never own, and which I couldn’t fit even if I did. These are my current favourites: I want them! I love them! I’d give so much to see the dress they were worn with! Alas, I cannot have them. But, I can console myself a little bit, because there are some utterly gorgeous, historically accurate, fairly reasonably priced shoes that I can have. These ones: The fabulous American Duchess has gone to a lot of work to design these shoes and to make them available to other costumers and historical enthusiasts. They are dyeable silk, and are fully leather lined. You can wear them with buckles, or with bows. And, if you order before April 22 you save $20. Sweet! I’m getting a pair (two if I am lucky) for my birthday. I can’t wait to decide what colour to dye them…and how to …

Royal inter-marriage proposals

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week I promised you all the gossip on Mariana Victoria and her engagement. In 1721 Mariana Victoria was bethrothed, at age 3, to her first cousin, Louis XV of France. Louis, like most 11 year old boys, was not interested in toddlers, and avoided his fiancee as much as possible. As Louis got older and got interested in girls, things got worse. I can’t imagine what could be creepier as a 15 year old trying to flirt with the ladies of the court than having your 7 year old future-wife hanging about the place. The situation was resolved in 1725 when Louis had a health scare and the powers-that-be in France, desperate to avoid him dying without a heir, shipped Mariana back to Spain and married the 15 year old Louis off to the princess most likely to have kids right away, and least likely to really anger and insult the Spanish: the 21 year old Maria LeszczyÅ„ska. He was momentarily enchanted with his older bride, before becoming enchanted with a dozen other women, …