All posts tagged: 18th century

Rate the Dress: Red & Gold Riding Habit

Last week I showed you a Titian portrait of a lady in all white. Most of you approved of the all white frock, and the way it focused the attention on the wearer, and would set her apart in a sea of Renaissance richness. It lost points for weird pleating, and for the very stiff bodice, but still managed a very respectable 8.7 out of 10. While I can’t say I personally love the frock, I really feel I ought to recreate it. For one thing, I do LOVE all white gowns. For another, I’ve got exactly the right body shape to match Titian’s lady: no bosom means that bodice is going to be just as flat on me (really, check out my pair of bodies), just the right hair (blond-brown-red, with a tendency to fringe), and I even kind of look like her – too much nose and classic curved eyebrowns. If only I had teeny curvy lips and a little dinky chin I’d be all set! (side note: all the other historic costumers …

High heels for kings, empresses and Nana

Published by The Dreamstress

For my Historical Sew Fortnightly ‘The Politics of Fashion’ challenge I present a carry-on from my Art submissions. I’ve knocked off another little bit of Manet’s Nana’s outfit by making high heeled 1877 evening shoes. Like Nana’s shoes, mine feature very high Louis heels, a black velvet or suede ground (mine are faux suede), and gold decorations on the toes – I went for gold lace with gold beading. I made my shoes by taking a pair of 1990s shoes that had the right basic silhouette, and (most importantly) the right heel: a high Louis heel. Unfortunately, they were cut far too high in the foot, so I had to cut them down. Then I bound the edges (an endeavor that required pliers to pull the needles through, bent one and broke two) where I had cut them. Next, it was time for the lace. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any suitable gold lace in the stash because I de-stashed my 1990s gold bridal lace bits because (duh) they were 1990s gold bridal lace bits, and …

Terminology: What is a robe de cour or grand habit?

Published by The Dreamstress

Synchronisity is an amazing thing. I wrote this post in January of 2012, and got it completely finished all save one last quote from Queen of Fashion that I wanted to add, and then got distracted and never published it. And then, at the beginning of August, I came across my not-published post, and went to the library to borrow Queen of Fashion, only to find it was out. Literally two days later Kendra at Demode posted about making a robe de coer and started the 2014 18th Court Ensembles Project. Well, Queen of Fashion has finally come back in, and just in time, because I’ve finally been tempted into joining the Court Ensembles project. I actually have the beginnings of a 17th century robe de cour in my UFO pile, but it’s not 18th century, so instead I’ll be making this: Obviously I mean Mariana Victoria (yellow-gold brocade….rrrrow), though if things go really well Mr D is going to find himself sporting a russet velvet justacorpse. So, now that I’m making one, what is …