All posts filed under: Rate the dress

Rate the Dress: Oversized stripes in 1912

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week disappeared in a haze of overwork, and this week isn’t looking like it’s going to be much better (last week of term is stressful for everyone…) So this week’s Rate the Dress is brought to you by ‘it was the first one I randomly selected from my ‘this would work for Rate the Dress’ list. Last-last week: a yellow silk 1780s redingote Many of you liked it, but many of you thought it was nice, but boring. And nobody loved it – not a single 10. The Total: 8 out of 10 Pretty good, but not fabulous from a usually favourite era. This week:  a 1912 afternoon dress by Jeanne Hallee Despite being a random selection, this afternoon dress does flow on rather nicely from last week’s pick. The frock, with its wrapped fichu collar, and open overskirt, is a perfect example of 1910s-does-18th century historicism. The rest of the dress, is, of course, pure 1912: high waist, slim skirt, high collar and layers of trim, with quirky details like skirt pick ups, …

Rate the Dress: Sunny 1780s Redingote

Published by The Dreamstress

I’m deep, deep in 1780s stay madness at the moment, so it’s probably not a huge surprise that I’ve picked something on-theme. And I’m always in favour of yellow, so yellow it is. Last week: a red velvet Edwardian frock with a hint of pinaforeness   After the silence of the week before, there were so many comments on the pinafore dress. I must admit, I was quite surprised at how popular it was. I guess the pinafore look is in historically as well! The Total: 8.7 out of 10 And many, many thanks to Cynthia Amneus of the Cincinnati Art Museum, who weighed in with additional information on the dress in the comments. This week:  a yellow silk 1780s redingote This 1780s redingote is a wonderful example of the variation in garments seen in the last quarter of the 18th century. It features a fitted bodice, front fastening, with slim, curved 3/4 sleeves, a wide double collar with decorative reverse-scalloped edging, and a cutaway front (the so-called zone-front). The photographs are not clear enough …

Rate the Dress: Edwardian Pinafore

Published by The Dreamstress

Pinafores and jumpers are all the rage in the sewing and fashion world at the moment, so I thought I’d get on board with the trend in Rate the Dress this week – with a pinafore-esque frock from 1906-7. And no, it’s not for a child! Last week:  a 1910s suit in purple and black Either the Rate the Dresses I’m posting aren’t interesting a lot of people, or you are all super busy. Last week’s frock, while not attracting a lot of comments, did attract most who commented. With only two exceptions it got rave reviews: it was just what you all wanted to for a day of tea and shopping in London. The Total: 9.3 out of 10 Two full points up on the week before! This week:  a red velvet Edwardian frock with a hint of pinaforeness While pinafores are all the rage right now, historically we generally think of them as a child’s garment. That certainly wasn’t always the case: pinafore/jumper fronts had their moments in adult clothing as well, particularly …