Photos at last of progress on “The Suit.” I’ve been working on the waistcoat, which to be honest is not at all interesting to look at right now. It wants for buttons and buttonholes, to follow. Pair it with the velvet frock coat, however, and it’s looking really killer!
I need a man. No really, I need a guy shaped in generally the same way as my client, and I just don’t know any around here! So my female dress form stands in and just doesn’t do any of it justice. The really cool thing about men’s clothing of this time period is that it was just as engineered and tailored for the man’s body as women’s clothing was for the female body.
At any rate, and with apologies for not-great photos, I present to you progress, PROGRESS!
21 Comments
Sarah
February 18, 2010 at 8:38 PMthat looks fantastic! i adore the frock coat!
Sarah
February 18, 2010 at 9:01 PMLookin great! The $150 I spent on my male dressform was the best money I spent in sewing.
Lauren Stowell
February 18, 2010 at 10:05 PMI'm just going to have make do, as I won't be able to take commissions after this. The toiles fit him very well, so it's just me wanted to see how good it's looking and take nice pics 🙂
Margravine Louisa
February 18, 2010 at 11:29 PMUbersexlicht is right — i think any guy would look absolutely fantastic in your handi-work – I wish I had access to such beautiful material, but I'm afraid I wouldn't do it justice!
Lauren Stowell
February 18, 2010 at 11:38 PMMargravine, James found and picked out his own materials. They're gorgeous! He's got great taste 😀
Anonymous
February 18, 2010 at 11:55 PMLooking really, really good so far!
MrsC (Maryanne)
February 19, 2010 at 12:02 AMYummo. He's going to look like Prince Charming all right! Why aren't you going to do any more commission work then?
Lauren Stowell
February 19, 2010 at 3:05 AMMrsC, I'm not going to be able to take commission work because the company I work for has offered me a full-time position at 40 hours a week, and I will not have the time. Yay for job, but boo for less sewing time.
Finegan Antiques
February 19, 2010 at 4:28 AMOH MY GOD!!!!!!! The frock coat and waistcoat are simply beautiful. How elegant and stunning. Forget the guy and wear it yourself.
Donna
Anonymous
February 19, 2010 at 5:31 AMI am humbled by everyone's comments. Liberty and I would seem to make a good pair as far as costume design/execution go. I had a few more thoughts in mind, but Lib's gotta work a real job.
Lady Liberty, Duchess of America
February 19, 2010 at 6:42 AMFin, I don't have the figure to pull it off – it does require a man's chest and stature, BUT I'm REALLY tempted to do a ladies version tailored to me, a riding habit perhaps?
James, let's talk about your ideas a little down the road; I wouldn't mind sewing for you so long as we both know it will take me longer than usual.
Lithia Black
February 19, 2010 at 8:23 AMIt looks stunning! Oh, I want ot make a costume for the man in my life now 🙂
Anonymous
February 19, 2010 at 1:06 PMUbsersexlich indeed! The two together look absolutely amazing – what a wonderful outfit!
And as for girlie versions – in my story female mercenaries usually wear the same clothes as men (late 17th/early 18th C justaucorps and breeches) but *very* well fitted to their figures – it's all about showing off with a billion buttons and ten miles of braiding and lush brocades and those swishing coat skirts. Add in bucket-top boots and what's not to love? (And yes, I will one day be making an outfit along these lines for myself!)
I suppose this is me putting in my yes vote to women in men's clothing. (Like Dick Whittington in classic British pantomimes – almost always played by a young woman.)
Looking forward to seeing more work on this outfit (and perhaps your feminised version one day!)…
Anonymous
February 19, 2010 at 4:37 PMThere are some outfits in the Kyoto costume book (droool) that are also :ubersexlich. (I'm referring to the mens; the womens' are too, but that's a different kind of eye candy.) I need a Regency outfit for certain. What I'd like to have, but which would be scandalous here in Nor. Cal., is a Confederate officer's uniform. They look great.
Lauren
February 19, 2010 at 5:04 PMit's looking wonderful!!!!
Liberty, Duchess of America
February 19, 2010 at 6:37 PMYes, my vote is and has always been for women in menswear! In the past and in present day too!
James, Regency, okay, but despite being a family from the South, and having ancestors who fought for the Confederacy, I'm not sure I could make you a Confederate uniform. It would attract a lot of rancor, for sure, particularly in your part of the state.
Anonymous
February 19, 2010 at 6:51 PMWomen in menswear? What're guys supposed to look at and drool over? Vivien looks great in her 18th c. stuff, but not in a sexual way. No, no – girls in girls', guys in guys'. I understand about the Confed uniform.
Duchess
February 19, 2010 at 10:05 PMOh James, you know not the glory of women in men's clothing – we do not mean that it is *actual* men's clothing, but women's clothing, fitted to women's bodies and with all the lovely bits you love about women showing and all, but takes its styling cues from men's clothing. It would be a female version of your costume – a cutwaway jacket and gilet (vest), with the same big cuffs, collar, silver braid, pocket flaps, but built for a lady. Oh you'll see, you'll see 🙂
Anonymous
February 20, 2010 at 1:22 AMYeah, but then you don't have a corset, decolletage showing, outta-my-way foundation garments, etc. I believe in Catherine the Great she does have a man-type riding outfit, obviously tailored for a buxom female.
Adriana
February 20, 2010 at 9:34 PMWow, it's slpendid!
The Dreamstress
February 23, 2010 at 8:28 AMThis is fabulous! I am so envious (and inspired!)