All posts tagged: 1865

Rate the dress: a girls party frock, about 1865

Last week I presented a painting of a wealthy young Englishwoman of the 1750s, and the vast majority of you rated it very highly, and it achieved a 7.3 out of 10.  You know what though?  I’m disappointed in you!  So many readers criticised it, and then gave it a 9 out of 10 anyway!  What does that mean?  Shouldn’t a 9 be almost absolutely perfect ‘must-have-now’ with just the tiniest tweaks needed?  I think you are all just brainwashed to think that anything 18th century is fabulous, and don’t stop and think “but is this a good example of 18th century?”! So this week is about pushing our usual inclinations.  You, dear readers, have been rather disapproving of historical children’s clothes in the past.  But I’m feeling brave, and am wondering if I can’t tempt you out of ingrained likes and dislikes. So I’m presenting a striking girl’s dress of about 1865 in muted red and white. I imagine this would have been worn by a girl of about 9 or 10. So, do …