:Ubersexlich – James’ 18th c. Suit – Progress

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

  • Lauren Stowell

    February 18, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    I'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 🙂

    Reply
  • Margravine Louisa

    February 18, 2010 at 11:29 PM

    Ubersexlicht 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!

    Reply
  • Lauren Stowell

    February 19, 2010 at 3:05 AM

    MrsC, 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.

    Reply
  • Finegan Antiques

    February 19, 2010 at 4:28 AM

    OH MY GOD!!!!!!! The frock coat and waistcoat are simply beautiful. How elegant and stunning. Forget the guy and wear it yourself.

    Donna

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 19, 2010 at 5:31 AM

    I 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.

    Reply
  • Lady Liberty, Duchess of America

    February 19, 2010 at 6:42 AM

    Fin, 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.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 19, 2010 at 1:06 PM

    Ubsersexlich 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!)…

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 19, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    There 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.

    Reply
  • Liberty, Duchess of America

    February 19, 2010 at 6:37 PM

    Yes, 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.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 19, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Women 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.

    Reply
  • Duchess

    February 19, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    Oh 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 🙂

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 20, 2010 at 1:22 AM

    Yeah, 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.

    Reply

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