All posts tagged: 1600s

Rate the Dress: Adolescent Swashbuckling in 1608

Last week I showed you an 1880s ensemble that has been enormously popular. There were a few naysaysers (as always) but the general consensus was extremely positive. I haven’t tallied the votes yet (The Project has completely taken over my life and I’m afraid you aren’t likely to hear from me again for a few days more), but I’m sure it will be in the 9s. Moving away from the feminine and the colourful, and the super popular, it’s time for black. Early 17th century (always a worrisome era on Rate the Dress) black menswear (also problematic), to be precise. Well, kinda menswear. Prince Henry was between 10 and 15 when this portrait was painted. Not exactly manly, though the tailor and Peake the Elder tried their best with the pose and costume. Poor Henry barely got to be a child, his life overshadowed by what was essentially a custody battle between his still married parents. And he never grew up to be a man either, his life tragically cut short by typhoid at 18, …

Accessorizing

Published by The Dreamstress

The Accessorize challenge is coming up on the Historical Sew Fortnightly, and there is so much choice when it comes to what to make. So many beautiful period accessories, so many periods! These are just a few of the items that are at the top of my ‘need an excuse to make this’ list. First off, every girl needs a beautiful fan. I collect vintage fans – I should show you my collection. I also aim to make fans. I have hundreds I love, but one particular favourite is this spangled mid-19th century beauty. It has Greek key motifs around the brim! As you have probably realised, I’m a bit of a shoe aficionado, but there are certain pairs that just make my heart go pitter-patter with adoration. Like these: Oh happiness in shoe form! I’ve looked into Regency sandals, but before these I hadn’t realised there might be early 17th century sandals. I want to know more about them, and I want to make them, and I don’t think the latter is entirely beyond …

Celebrating the common man (and what he and she wore)

Published by The Dreamstress

Next fortnight’s challenge in the Historical Sew Fortnightly is Peasants and Pioneers. It’s all about making clothes for the lower classes – the most common group, but also the ones whose clothes were the least documented, and the least likely to to have survived. I’ve got a serious soft spot for the clothing of the lower classes across almost all periods. They may not be as bright or sparkly as the clothing of the upper classes, but they often managed a restraint and elegance that the fancier clothes of the wealthy and fashionable of certain periods (*cough* *cough* *Elizabethan*) were sorely lacking in. Their practical nature quickly weeded out any cumbersome additions which made work difficult. I think my favourite peasant outfits and images are those from medieval manuscripts and Books of Hours from the 15th century. The details are just so clear (look at the beautiful torn and ragged sleeves on the white tunic in the first image below), and the colours so vivid, though the clothes probably weren’t so bright in real life. …