This week’s Rate the Dress, like last week’s dress, comes with both a day and an evening bodice.  In contrast to last week’s pastel confection, this week’s choice is in deep red velvet. Last week:  an 1865 Robe à transformation The theme of gala frocks is sitting well with you: last week’s dress was another success.  You loved both the aesthetic of the dress, and the practicality.  It may have been in delicate, pale silk, but at least the wearer was getting as much use as possible out of it.  The few points the ensemble lost was for the colours.  Not everyone loved the gold & lavender, or the ochre sash that went with the day dress. The Total:  9.4 out of 10 Not quite the most popular dress we’ve had in December, but still a fabulously good score! This week: a House of Worth  Robe à transformation  in red velvet The House of Worth may have been the pinnacle of high fashion in the Victorian era, but even its august and moneyed clientele wanted …

For entry #2 in ‘Rate all the Party Dresses’, the historical version of that holiday classic, the ‘day to night dress’.  This frock would be equally at home at an afternoon reception, and an elegant evening soiree. Last week:  an 1800s dress — and the shoes to match A lot of you did love last weeks frock, and its shoes, but it wasn’t quite as popular as the dress it followed.  It was just a tiny bit too dull (or high waisted, or filmy) for some of you – the curse of Regency evening dresses strikes again! The Total:  8.8 out of 10 Not that much of a curse though – still an eminently respectable rating! This week: an 1865 Robe à transformation This mid 1860s dress comes with both a day and evening bodice, to make best use of the huge amount of fabric required for the full skirt. This dress could also be used for day events, with undersleeves and a guimpe to fill the neckline – both of fabric as luxurious and …

It’s entry #2 in my series of ‘Rate all the Party Dresses’.  This week we’re going back in time 210 years, and rating a formal Regency gown.  It’s a particularly exciting rating, because it also includes the shoes worn with the dress. Last week:  a bright orange silk and embroidered net party frock from 1916 The reviews for last week’s frock were a very happy surprise.  I was afraid many of you would find it too bold and outrageous – but just one did.   I’m always delighted when you love a dress, and even more so when I’m really not sure you will. (of course, it would be terribly boring if every one of you just adored everything, so don’t worry if you don’t!) The Total: 9.5 out of 10 Definitely a belle of the ball dress! This week: an 1800s dress – and the shoes to match I found the bare footed mannequin that last week’s dress was displayed on rather disconcerting, so this week I picked an evening gown where we know …