All posts filed under: 19th Century

Rate the Dress: Mourning in 1872-4

Despite the fact that most of you thought Marie Christine looked like a “blinged-out sheep” with “an 18th century mullet” the essential loveliness of her pink dress (and a general weakness for diamonds on the part of some voters) brought her in at a respectable 6.5 out of 10. How to improve the rating? More flowers, less jewellery, and no rat-tail curls! This week I’ve tried to move as far as possible from frilly pink status frocks while still staying very feminine and detail-oriented. You can’t get much further from pink party dress than a Victorian mourning dress. Admittedly, this 1872-4ish mourning dress from the Met is still clearly a status garment, demonstrating that the wearer could afford specialized mourning clothes and completely impractical garments that they couldn’t do any real work in. Impractical is one thing, but as long as a garment isn’t ridiculously confining by the standards of its time, we are more worried about looks. What do you think? Is this frock an elegant way to navigate the social requirements of mourning …

Hot, talented and heroic (but with unfortunate relatives)

Published by The Dreamstress

Have you ever heard of Edwin Booth? He was one of the greatest male actors of the 19th century. Also, he looked like this: Unfortunately, he had a brother who was a bit of a troublemaker, which kind of sullied the family name, and the historical record. This is really a pity, as not only was E. Booth hot and talented, but he was a bit of a hero. Just read this letter from the young man whose life he saved: The incident occurred while a group of passengers were late at night purchasing their sleeping car places from the conductor who stood on the station platform at the entrance of the car. The platform was about the height of the car floor, and there was of course a narrow space between the platform and the car body. There was some crowding, and I happened to be pressed by it against the car body while waiting my turn. In this situation the train began to move, and by the motion I was twisted off my …

Rate the Dress: Velvet & Fur in 1900

Published by The Dreamstress

Despite a few readers loving last week’s avant garde green and gold Lanvin jumpsuit, most of you didn’t. It rated a rather dismal 4.9 out of 10, with opinions ranging from Stella’s “Who knew!?!? Harem pants can look cool” to comparisons to a trashbag. Ouch. This week’s rate the dress is brought to you courtesy of the exceptional weather we have been having in Wellington. It’s been snowing. Now, this wouldn’t be exciting if I lived in the South Island, but snow in Wellington happens once or twice a century. And my suburb? Never! We live at sea level! But we have been having hours long snow-storms, and the whole neighborhood has been outside with cameras. It’s such big news it made the New York Times. If that wasn’t a hyperlink it would be in bold, italics and underline, all at the same time. The only one who doesn’t love the weather is Felicity. Poor kitty is freaked out. She doesn’t understand this white cold stuff that falls from the sky. Obviously, I need to …