Last week I though that Fra Galgario’s Count in bizarre waistcoat and banyan was fascinating, but clearly you didn’t agree as only a dozen of you even bothered to rate it, which may be a new low.  Poor Count!  At least the  rating he did get from the daring dozen was a rather positive 8 out of 10.  He would have rated higher if he’d only worn different stockings and a better hat – sometimes it’s all about the accessories! This week’s Rate the Dress is all about colour and sparkle.  In brilliant blue, covered in sequins and large paste gems, this Callot Soeurs gown certainly isn’t for the faint hearted.  The vivid colour and exotic embellishments anticipate the Orientalist and Arabian Nights inspired trends that would sweep through the fashion world in the next few years. And some close-ups of the bodice detailing: It’s certainly a bold dress!  What do you think? Too bright and sparkly and big?  Or does the subtle mastery of cut and the skill of the workmanship balance the less-than-restrained …

Your reaction to last week’s blue & grey 1920s ensemble depended hugely on whether you like the 1920s or not.  There were a lot of 10s, and a lot of 2s  and not a lot in between.  They balanced out at 7.4 out of 10 (because there were slightly more 10s), but in some ways I think the outfit was far more successful than that, just for being such a simple collection of pieces which provoked such a strong response.  (and thanks Carol for giving the ensemble a face to go with it!) I do apologies for the slight lateness of this post.  I was exhausted last night and decided that if something had to go, it was blogging.  So slightly delayed, here is this week’s dress, chosen because it is the complete opposite to  last weeks practical, restrained, über-modern sporting ensemble. This Worth frock is frivolous, decadent, utterly feminine, and unabashedly historical: liberally borrowing from 1780s and 90s fashions for it’s inspiration.  The late Georgian influence is so literal (the open skirt, the straight …