I’m a bit behind on the Historical Sew Fortnightly inspiration post thanks to my flu, so I’m trying to catch up this week.
Challenge #15, The Great Outdoors, is due 15 August.
This challenge celebrates nature, the great outdoors, and all of the things we do in wide open spaces.
The oldest outdoor pursuit, is, or course, walking for which you might make Roman sandals, (though these were probably used for long hours spent building walls):
Shoes, Roman, 139-141 A.D, discovered during archaeological excavations at Bar Hill Fort on the Antonine Wall
Or a smart Regency walking ensemble:
Morning Walking Dress, April 1812
Walkings more exciting cousin is mountaineering, which must have been even more exciting in a corset and heavy wool skirt:
Thyra of Denmark in mountaineering dress
Another ancient and perennially popular outdoor pursuit is riding. I think 17th century riding habits are a thing of beauty and a joy forever:
Madame La Comtesse de Saint Geran by Joseph Parrocel,1675 – 82
And 18th century riding habits are also frequently depicted doing double duty as walking wear:
The Countess of Effingham with Gun and Shooting Dogs by George Haugh 1787
More modern riding ensembles are no less adorable, and infinitely more practical
Madge Bellamy, 1920s
In winter, one can go skating, either on ones own two feet, or in this cunning skating chair:
Winter, Jean-Baptiste Pater, 1725
A more recent outdoor speed invention is bicycling:
There are also practical sports, such as archery (though this Medieval depiction shows some rather improbably impractical gowns):
Évrard de Conty, France, Cognac, 1496-1498. Illustrated by Robinet Testard, Paris, BNF, Departement des Manuscrits, Français 143, fol. 116
And competitive pursuits, such as croquet:
Fashion plate showing a croquet ensemble, 1860s
Croquet skirt, England, c1870, 1947.505, Manchester City Galleries
And tennis
George Goodwin Kilburne (English painter, 1839-1924) A Game of Tennis
Or golf:
Golfing ensemble, 1917
Alternatively, you could be inspired by all the ways we have sought to protect ourselves from outdoors and the elements, from timeless garments like cloaks:
Woollen cloak with silk lining worn in Mobberley in Cheshire by a country bride arriving for her wedding, ca 1800, Manchester City Galleries
And the significantly more specific and exotic items like chopines:
And calashes:
Calash, ca. 1790, American, silk, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2009.300.2889
Whatever you choose to make to get out and about in, I look forward to seeing it!
