I have a bit of an itch to make something late 1820s, 1830s. Crazy, I know. Crazy GIGOT SLEEVES! Crazy!
But…but…some are quite pretty. And it’s a most unloved era. I feel a great challenge in getting the silhouette correct, so I may have to give it a go. Here are some stomachable examples (in my opinion):
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| Ball dress of cream silk net embroidered in gold metal strip. late 1820s, Via |
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| The Met, 1830, British |
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| Via |
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| abiti antichi, 1829, Via |
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| Romantic-period hand-embroidered silk taffeta dress with large gigot sleeves, c.1830. Via |
| MFA, French Ball Gown, 1825, Via |
I’ll end with my most favorite Romantic garment ever, this pink gown from LACMA. I think if I try for this period, I will try to make this one…
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| LACMA, 1830, Via |
This gown is pink silk satin with an overlay of organza beaded with imitation pearls. I find it stunningly beautiful and incredibly challenging, especially all those pearls, but so drool-worthy! So…perhaps Costume College next year? Hehe..no pressure!
35 Comments
Nora
October 25, 2013 at 6:48 PMI say go for it! Maybe you'll start a trend 🙂 I too secretly like the 1830s styles. I've been meaning to make the red KCI dress from 1838 for ages and ages, the one on right in this picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/254594185157982834/
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:42 AMOh I luuurrrvvvve that one!
Ms. Nelly
October 25, 2013 at 6:51 PMThe last gown is my favourite too! Totally in love with it 🙂
Unknown
October 25, 2013 at 6:59 PMdont forget the sleeve supports when setting out the appropriate underpinnings. there is no way that lovely pink dress's sleeves will stand in that shape without them
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:43 AMI shall! In the LACMA book it says that the beret sleeves were lined with stiff woven horsehair, then pleated into position, with the top pleats opposing the direction of the bottom ones. COOL! I can't wait to try that!
Zach
October 25, 2013 at 7:06 PMCrazy? Crazy fun! I personally love the 1830s. There's just so much silliness going on! I've always felt a bit bad for it; like you said, it really is unloved, and hardly anyone ventures into it very often (at least from what I've seen). I'd say give it a go if you'd like! I'll certainly love seeing the finished dress!
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:43 AMOkay, you've convinced me. It's time! (right after the LACMA Sacque)
Gabriella
October 25, 2013 at 7:30 PMI LOVE this era! What delightful frippery!
Little Mothball
October 25, 2013 at 7:53 PMYes!! Go Romantic Era dresses! (I'm a total Romantic fiend.) Can't wait to see what you make!
Gina
October 25, 2013 at 8:13 PMHey Lauren!
First off Congratulations on your wedding!! Huzzah!! That first dress is fabulous and I have adored the wonderful pink color of the last one for some time. And berthas are a lovely thing aren't they? Can't wait to see what you come up with!!
Blessings!
g
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:44 AMI've never successfully made a bertha, but I haven't tried for some time. I have ideas. 🙂 Lots of experimentation!
Thread-Head
October 25, 2013 at 8:24 PMI love the Romantic era! It's wacky and extreme, but there is loveliness in them thar hills! I'm dredging through the last of a hideous school project, but I have a bundle of faux-roller print cotton and a picture from the New Brunswick Museum of some Romantic awesomeness waiting for me on the other side.
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:45 AMOh that sounds fun! Let's start a trend, Choll, for the 1830s! Let's bring SEXY BACK!
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
October 25, 2013 at 8:44 PMGo for it! I adore the plaid dress and if you don't get the sleeves just right, it is a busy enough design to cover any pleats gone wrong.
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:45 AMThat's true! I may have to make this loony thing and go to Dickens just to be obnoxious 😀
Katy Werlin
October 25, 2013 at 9:35 PMI'm going to make a crazy 1830s dress some day, and I'm really excited to do the crazy hair!! With huge side curls and maybe an arrow through my bun……
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 2:45 AMI think the hair is pretty awesome, too!
sonia
October 25, 2013 at 9:57 PMThat last dress is beautiful!
Jordan
October 26, 2013 at 3:14 AMI've been thinking a lot about this era of fashion too lately! Such beautiful examples!
Caroline
October 26, 2013 at 4:05 AMAhh!!!! I have been secretly, guiltily, drooling over this stuff lately. And I was about to say costume college?… And then you said it! So…. Costume college meet up perhaps in the future…. Hmm….
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 6:12 PMYes, let's!!!
Lynn Brooks
October 26, 2013 at 5:36 AMI had never been a fan of romantic era until I saw some really pretty understated gowns someone made. I'm starting to see more things I like in this period now. Like the brown frock at the top and although the plaid is a little loud, I'm really feeling it. Can't wait to see what you make and I especially can't wait to see what you do with your hair. And congratulations on your wedding, may you have a forever of happiness.
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 6:13 PMI'm kindof stoked about the hair. Anything vertical and eccentric tickles my fancy 😉
Lynn Brooks
October 28, 2013 at 3:03 AMwhen you figure out the hair, I want a tutorial. Which reminds me, I may need to pick your brains about finger wave clips, I remember you have some, and im having a bit of a time with them.
mr.darcy1
October 26, 2013 at 4:25 PMI love the saggy elbow look of the late 1830s. There's a wonderful star print dress from the Tasha Tudor auction years ago that I just adore!
Time Traveling in Costume
October 26, 2013 at 5:06 PMI love this era too just for its quirkiness, and not many people wear it. But I like the collapsed sleeves better, either by gathering the fullness down, or with bands holding them down. I have two in the works. I'm still using the TV pattern for mine. Are you going to make your own pattern?
Val
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 6:14 PMI'll admit I'm a little gun shy on patternmaking at the moment. I almost always mess the armscyes up somehow, so for this one I'm going to use the Truly Victorian pattern, with alterations
AuntieNan
October 26, 2013 at 5:41 PMThe toughest bit about wearing this era is keeping the sleeves at the proper dropped angle of the neckline. To wear it successfully you can't really raise your arms. For t hat reason, I also would pick the last style–it seems higher in the shoulder. Although I adore that first brown one. So very Misses Rivers from JANE EYRE!
keep me posted on how it goes! I've never had time or patience to do the beaded embroidery!
Lauren Stowell
October 26, 2013 at 6:14 PMI agree. At one time the lack of mobility didn't bother me, but now I'm over it. I'd like to be able to get my teacup to my mouth, thankyouverymuch!
Julie R.
October 26, 2013 at 8:32 PMJust finished my 1830's gown. Sleeve supports are awesome.
fixitfaerie
October 26, 2013 at 8:38 PMLove the last dress. So much detail, love the beading.
Calevey’s Closet
October 27, 2013 at 3:55 AMThis is a period that scares me just from the aspect of getting the silhouette right. Kudos for jumping on the challenge and good luck!
Vincent Briggs
October 27, 2013 at 8:54 PMThis will be interesting! I've always hated the 1830's silhouette, but so many of the dresses from that time have gorgeous details, and ridiculous costumes are fun!
There is one 1820's dress that I really like, even though the sleeve shape is one I usually hate.
http://www.kci.or.jp/archives/digital_archives/detail_53_e.html
I didn't like it the first time I saw it, but then I got this mental image of a badass lady wearing this dress and riding a crocodile through a swamp, now I think it's awesome and I want to wear it to a swamp. I should draw a picture of that.
Jennifer Rosbrugh
October 27, 2013 at 9:48 PMHEART 1830s!! And have sewn a few of them. I have new 1838 dress in the works that didn't get done for CoCo this year but will most likely be my gala dress in 2014. Let's bring in the Romantic Era! Looking forward to seeing your project.
Dragon
November 1, 2013 at 9:38 PMWow, I love the neckline on those dresses!