For Costume College 2016, one of the classes I taught was about making a “Miss Fisher” wardrobe, developing your style based on the popular Australian murder-mystery show set at the end of…
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The Gatsby Picnic in Pictures
Lauren, Abby, and Tina at The Gatsby Oh Gatsby Summer Picnic how I love you … let me count the ways! This year Abby and I ventured over the hill to one…
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The Vintage Makeup Review – with Lauren & Abby
Whether you’ve gone fully down the vintage style rabbit hole of everyday dress or you need a faceplan for an impending costume party, today we’re going to share with you our discoveries…
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The American Duchess Guide – Previews!
Lovelies, we are so excited to finally be able to give you all a sneak preview and some behind-the-scenes info on our upcoming book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking.…
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Pattern Review: Decades of Style #2005 1920s “Baltimore” Dress
My Decades of Style “Baltimore” dress in green and ivory striped cotton. This past weekend was one of my favorite events of the year, the Oakland Gatsby. This annual end-of-Summer picnic is…
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Tulip Fever – Hello, Early 17th Century
Holliday Granger as Marie in “Tulip Fever.” Lauren here – This past weekend, we went to see “Tulip Fever,” a film set in 1630s Amsterdam. Though the movie suffers from mixed reviews,…
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New Cotton Striped Stockings, Oh YEAH!
Storyville portrait, New Orleans, c. 1912. Portrait by E. J. Bellocq. Who doesn’t love a good striped stocking? The Georgians, Victorians, and Edwardians sure did! Striped stockings of various colors – some…
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Introducing Nicole Rudolph, Footwear Designer
We are beyond excited to officially announce the newest addition to the American Duchess / Royal Vintage team: Nicole Rudolph! Many of you will know Nicole from her blog Diary of a…
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Pattern Review: Decades of Style No. 101 The E.S.P. Dress
Hello Lovelies! Almost exactly a year ago, I finished making my first dress from Decades of Style’s ESP 101 Pattern. It’s a part of their Decades Everyday pattern collection that is meant…
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Review: Gracy Q 1950s Style “Sophia” Dress
Gracy Q “Sophia” dress in yellow Do you have a “best dress,” a frock or outfit that is your nicest, most polished look and, most importantly, you feel epic in? My “best…
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The “Jane Austen Goes to Ikea and then to Jane Austen Festival” Gown
This year was my first visit to Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, at beautiful Locust Grove historic site. I had been to Locust Grove before on a rainy November afternoon rather…
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The Robe a la Turque – Part 2 – The Gown
Italian Gown in yellow silk taffeta worn with a ruffled voile apron and cap, and fashionable black silk hat with black “Dunmore” shoes. Mid-1780s. One thing I love most in costuming is…
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Getting Ready for Gatsby
Hello Lovelies! Abby here — and let me tell you — I have 1920s on the brain! Now that Costume College has ended, the Royal Vintage travel schedule has died down just…
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The Robe a la Turque, part 1
Mademoiselle Guimard in Turkish Dress by Greuze, 1790 – LACMA (detail) Who doesn’t love the feeling of completing a project you’ve been obsessing about for *years* and getting to wear it to…
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Trends – Late 18th Century Flippy-Flappies
The Met – Robe a l’Anglaise – 1785-87 When we start out in costuming for a particular era, we think in centuries – the 18th century, the 19th century – and quickly…
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Costume College 2017!
Wherein we share lots of photos – though not nearly enough! Costume College is a feast for the eyes. There are so many incredible costumes on hundreds and hundreds of amazing women.…
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Review: “Rock Around the Clock” Dress by Emmy Design Sweden
The Emmy “Rock Around the Clock” dress in plaid, paired with “Evelyn” oxfords in tan/brown by Royal Vintage Once upon a time a girl met a dress and fell in love. I…
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Autumn Beauties – Pre-Order Now Open!
How long has it been since we’ve done a pre-order for NEW historic styles?! We’re happy to finally be introducing some gorgeous new shoes for Fall this year. Shop Gleeful for $20…
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The Robe a la Turque – Progress!
Hi, it’s Lauren… I promise, I HAVE been sewing. Promise! It’s just been sllooowwwwwww. It’s time to light a fire under my split bum, though – Costume College is in a few…
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Who’s That Girl? Meet Tina Vines
Who is that gorgeous new face on RoyalVintageShoes.com, our Facebook, and Instagram? Meet Tina Vines, vintage fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur. Tina modeled a beautiful original vintage western outfit for our mid-Summer photo…