This week in Rate the Dress we’re going from 18th century silk hoodies to 1820s harlequin patterned cotton – with really, really, really big sleeves. Last week:  A lavender pink mid-18th century Brunswick Last week’s Brunswick (or, as Anna pointed out, possible a Jesuit) was the most popular Rate the Dress in a while.  Some of you felt that she did look a bit like a little girl dressed up in her older sister’s outfit, or just found the proportions of the bodice to be a bit odd, but those were the only real criticisms. The Total: 8.3 out of 10 Better than we’ve had in a while, but not spectacular. This week: A harlequin print 1820s dress It’s cold, and rainy, and windy, and horrible in Wellington today.  Luckily I’ve had the perfect sunny, cheerful, über-happy Rate the Dress option squirrelled away for just such an occasion: 1820s fashion is always a bit silly and over the top, but this dress takes it to another level with a harlequin patterned cotton print in yellow …

Sometimes choosing garments for Rate the Dress is really hard, and I pick dud after uninteresting dud.  Sometimes I find it so easy to find interesting frocks – whether fabulously interesting, or awfully interesting.  Let’s see if this week’s chine a la branche themed pick can continue the streak of compelling dresses. Last week:  an Edwardian afternoon dress in moss green velvet Not everyone loved last week’s pick, but it definitely seemed to have struck a chord with a goodly percentage of the readership.  Only one score was less than an 8, and a whopping 54% of the votes were perfect 10s. The Total: 9.2 out of 10 Impressive!   This week: a ca. 1820 dress re-made from 18th century chine a la branche* Since green was so popular last week, I thought I’d keep with the green theme.  I’ve also stuck with the idea of a dress that is both visually cooling, and warm and cozy. *wondering what chine a la branche is?  Read my terminology post on it and find out! This ca. …