Last week I showed you an 1820s riding habit, and though late Regency is often a difficult period, you loved the riding habit and it rated a 9.5 out of 10. It might have been even higher if it weren’t for the creepy mannequin! This week’s ensemble is sort-of the 20th century equivalent of last weeks riding habit.  In the 19th century riding and walking became more common as leisure activities for women, and riding habits (though they had existed in the 18th century) became more practical, though last week’s habit was more restrictive than relaxed.  In the 20th century all sorts of outdoor activities were encouraged for women, and sportswear as we know it today emerged. This sportswear ensemble from the Museum at FIT reflects the new emphasis on athleticism and simple, casual, outdoorsy outfits. What do you think of the skirt of navy wool crepe, and matching top, cardigan, scarf and beret of grey wool with navy bindings and modernist inspired navy and turquoise machine embroidery?  Do you like the simple ease of …

Last week I showed you Maria Feodorovna in muted blue and lace, all 1870s Russian empress.  Most of you found her and her frock very attractive, and yet, something wasn’t quite right about the ensemble for most of you, and you couldn’t give it your wholehearted approval.  So it came in at 8.3 out of 10.  Not a divided 8.3 (there wasn’t much range in the ratings), but a rather unanimous 8.3 where (almost) everyone liked it, but few thought it absolutely perfect. It seems appropriate that today’s Rate the Dress be green, and while I kept finding amazing green frocks I wanted to show you, they were all in tiny, terrible images, so I ended up choosing something that I suspect I already know what you are going to think of, which I hate doing.  But I might very well be wrong, because I often am! This week’s selection is going in to all sorts of dangerous waters: it’s by Charles James (and let’s face it, you haven’t been the biggest Charles James fans …