This weekend I gave a talk on the ways in which the Pacific influenced Western fashion, including goods made from very Pacific birds: kiwi feather muffs, and bird of paradise bedecked hats. So I have feathers on my mind, and have picked a very feathery dress for this week’s Rate the Dress feature. Last week: a 1910s dress from a brides trousseau I don’t think anybody is going to be hugely surprised that last week’s frock was pretty popular. Sure, not everyone loved the muted colour, or the floral ribbon, and some of you thought it was almost boring in its tastefulness and elegance and general perfection, but only one person actually disliked it and rated it less than 8. The Total: 9.3 out of 10 Nice!   This week:  an 1876 reception or day dress said to have been worn by Empress Eugenie   This feather bedecked dress is said to have been worn by Victorian fashion icon Empress Eugenie (in her post-Empress days). Eugenie was known for her excellent taste, which combined impeccable …

I have Edwardian on my mind, because I just finished a late 1910s dress, and photographed it, and am in love with the era in general. So this week’s Rate the Dress is 1910s, and you get to decide if you’re in love with it in particular. Last week:  a crinoline era gown in cobalt blue Sometimes I’m completely surprised by your reaction to a garment. Last week…not so much! It wasn’t hard to guess that the fabric would be quite popular, or that the extremely long berthe might not. (I also feel slightly vindicated that a couple of half-points were lost for fringe 😉 ) The Total: 8.8 out of 10 A very, very good show, but the machine woven perfection of the fabric could not match the heart of the hand-embroidered frock the week before. This week: a 1911 theatre dress, part of a bride’s trousseau This dress was part of the trousseau of Vendla Brown, nee Hallström (1880-1964). According to the musuem, Velda wore it to the theatre the day after her wedding. …