Wear The Right Underwear
The right undies for 18th c - petticoats, smock, stays. |
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This is just a mockup, but you can see how bad the skirt looks without enough puffage underneath. |
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Much better fullness in the finished costume (but ignore those shoes) |
In Short: petticoats, hoops, and corsets. Do not skip these!
For a fun little learning game on dressing from the inside-out 18th c. style, visit this link on the Colonial Williamsburg website.
Fit and Tailoring
If your underpinnings are looking swell, the next biggest issue is fit. You could have the most beautiful, intricate, and mind-blowing gown in the world, but if it doesn't fit you, it will look shabby. If you are making your costume from scratch, take the time to make a mock-up, and remedy any fit issues. Taking in the side-seams is a good place to start, followed by pinching the back seams to account for modern sway-back-ness. If your bodice has darts, take these in or let them out.
If all else fails, take the garment to a tailor!
Undertrimming and Fabric Choice
Now I am a believer in affordable fabrics. If you shop hard and are particular in your fabric choice, you can find affordable, beautiful silks, even synthetics, that looks great and don't drain your pocketbook dry. If you are shopping for fabrics based on a historical piece you've seen in a museum, try to match it as closely as possible in terms of the overall look - what are the colors used, how big is the print (or embroidery), what is the texture and sheen of the fabric?
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This gown is an okay fabric (taffeta), but it has NO trims at all, unless you count the funky lace cuffs. |
In the words of Truly Victorian - "trim, and then trim again."
Accessories - Finishing a Costume
Going out without a hat, gloves, and a neckerchief these days is no big deal, but in the past this would be considered "undressed," and highly improper. For 18th c. ensembles, the extra bits you need include a wig or a cap, a hat, a neckerchief, possibly gloves or mits, stockings and shoes, possibly an apron, and jewelry (I'm thinking middle to upper class here, but toned-down versions of these things are true for lower classes too). At the very least, one must attend to their tops and bottoms - what is on the head and what is on the feet, because both of these areas are conspicuous with 18th century clothing.
Now, I don't always get it right. I try, but sometimes my hair looks like crap, or my petticoats aren't puffy enough, and I am certainly guilty of undertrimming! How great it is when a costume is complete, though, and you both look good and feel good wearing it!
If you are looking for resources on where to get some of these items, particularly hats, shoes, and wigs, do visit my Resources Page. Comments and e-mails are always welcome!
Awesome post.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post, thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat Post Lauren!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! Thanks! I think you hit it spot on!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! And, I love your first costume - (even though you are embarrassed by it - lol!) You look so sweet in it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies! Another thing I should have added in here is to not be afraid of adding in additional boning to bodices. A look inside Victorian bodices, especially, reveals boning on just about every seam, and that's worn over a corset. It helps keep everything straight, flat, crisp. I'm definitely still coming to terms with this idea.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few examples of 18th Century boning in jackets for women, very little, but a couple pieces in the back and in the center front... I assume to keep light weight fabric straight.
DeleteMeant to add, Central European.
DeleteGreat post and the part about waist placement in particular. I think a lot of people don't realise that the natural waist and the waist placement on modern clothing does not match. I think this is why many people have problems when they venture in to sewing both more tailored modern clothes and period costume.
ReplyDeleteI for example have a high waist and I always have to remember to look out for that fact when I draft patterns.
Awesome post! If I can add one detail I notice a lot--makeup. I've seen some lovely ensembles dragged down a bit by the overuse of modern makeup. Sure, use some natural-looking foundation or mascara, and if the period and persona lend themselves, rouge it up! But heavy eyeliner...bright or shimmery eyeshadow...sparkly lipgloss all look like modern intrusions to my mind. If you're going to go historical, own it--and know you look beautiful even without modern cosmetics!
ReplyDeleteBoth really good points, Lithia and Rowenna, especially about the makeup. Both modern sensibilities that have to be pushed aside for historical loveliness :-)
ReplyDeleteShoes are often the hardest to get right; but of course with your help we will all be one step closer soon! ;D
ReplyDeleteFab post - it could have been hideously patronising save for your humility and willingness to show us your mistakes, so big ups for that!
ReplyDeleteI *have* actually seen quite a few examples of untrimmed/barely trimmed 18th century dress, so it wasn't entirely unknown.
The other big thing for me is the right fabric - you just can't make those cheap polyester satins look right, no matter how you cut them. Better to have a less fancy cotton frock!
I'm glad it didn't come off as patronizing, that was certainly not my intention! Yeah, I'm not afraid to show my hideousness, also because I'm still guilty of it, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the satins. Sewing non-period clothing with satin is evil too, it's just hard to get it to look good. I've had luck with synthetic/blend taffetas, but you gotta be SO careful about how it looks - case by case basis, I think.
I also agree with you about the plain cotton gowns. There are some great examples of un-trimmed cotton gowns in the KCI book, and for middling sort and lower of course you wouldn't be sporting lots of trims. I will so, though, that when you're scarce on the trims, though, your tailoring has to be spot on!
Thank you for your so useful post ).
ReplyDeleteLauren thanks for showing your first costume - its all a learning experience! I'm posting as anonymous because I daren't post some of my awful efforts - but I'm learning! and you blog is hugely helpful.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true! Accessories, fit and fabric can make or break an outfit. And when I see photos of me that I cringe at I've usually messed up one of those. :P
ReplyDeleteI will add it's not just period correct fabric but the right draping fabric for a project. I've made silk dresses that made me look terrible because the hand was wrong for the style of dress I was making.
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