The Idea and Inspiration:

A formal 1770s man’s ensemble to be worn as a matching pair with the Lady Anne Darcy robe a la francaise.

The project was started at the same time as the Lady Anne Darcy gown, but languished in costuming limbo for a few years.

It’s my first attempt at 18th century menswear, so I’m using it more as a trial piece, and don’t expect it to be perfect, or perfectly historical.

Inspiration Gallery

	Man’s suit, Tiden’s Toj

Fabric and Materials:

• Jacket — vintage kimono fabric, silk with metal brocaded spots.
• Waistcoat — quilt effect synthetic brocade
• Shirt – fine cotton lawn
• Breeches –

The Dress Diary:

• Introducing the jacket and the waistcoat
• The making of the shirt
• A scary to-do list
• The jacket and waistcoat
• The finished shirt
• The ensemble redux
• Redux fabric and trims
• Patterning the redux jacket  
• The Redux ensemble at Grandeur & Frivolity
• Constructing the redux jacket
• Jacket finishing details
• Waistcoat construction

Research and helpful links:

• LACMA 18th century patterns
• Man’s suit instructions from Marquise.de
• Man’s shirt instructions from Marquise.de
• Hart, Averil and North, Susan. 17th and 18th Century Fashion in Detail, London: V & A Publishing.  2009.
• Baumgarten, Linda and Watson, John with Florine Carr.  Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern 1750-1790, Williamsburg: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. 1999