If you own pair of latchet shoes, eventually you will own a pair of shoe buckles to close them. Shoe buckles were the standard way of fastening one’s footwear in the 18th…
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V60: 1770s Hair Notes
Today’s post is a page out of my dress journal. I went through a great many images, a lot of them fashion plates, and broke down the various parts of the big…
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V59: New “Kensington” 18th Century Leather Shoes in Black and Red
Last week I asked you all for your help in deciding what color Kensingtons to release first. All three colors (black, red, and ivory) are the goal, but we just can’t run…
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V58: The Tim Gunn Petticoat of Suck
I thought I’d experiment with matelesse fabric, a recommendation from a couple lovely readers, to get the whitework/quilted look. Unfortunately I bought too little, because I clearly had my dunce cap on…
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V57: Mardi Gras / Carnevale 18th Century Costume + Hair
I’m wearing tea-stained Georgiana silk shoes and Dauphine buckles – they were comfy, and didn’t scuff or get dirty at all. Last night I went to a belated Mardis Gras Party with…
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V56: 18th Century Costumes from “Versailles: Countdown to Revolution”
I watched a documentary series recently called “Versailles,” covering, in three installments, the history of the palace and its monarchs, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. I was really impressed with…
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V55: New “Kensington” 18th Century Leather Shoes – Vote For Your Favorite Color
Hi Ladies! Once again I need your help, this time in deciding on colors for the new leather colonial shoe, “Kensington.” Kensington is a sturdy 100% leather shoe with a pointed toe,…
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V54: How To Create A Simple 18th Century Pouf
A few nights ago I dressed my hair into a simple 1770s pouf style, for modeling at the Nevada Museum of Art. I did this style using one hair piece and one…
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V53: 18th Century Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art
Last night I posed for artists at the Nevada Museum of Art’s costume painting class. I wore the Revolution Dress I made last year, and dressed my hair in a simple pouf…
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V52: 1770s Pannier Experiments – Style 1
In poking around the 1770s it becomes obvious that panniers are the thing to wear. I’ve never made panniers before – I usually land in the 1780s and 90s, when I visit…
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V51: 1957 Little Brown Dress
Over Christmas I made a couple 1950s frocks I haven’t shared with you. In fact, I made this dress, then didn’t have opportunity to wear it until yesterday, for my grandmother’s 88th…
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V50: 18th Century Hair of Tall Ships
One of the iconic images we first associate with fashion of the 18th century is the Hair Ship, the tiny galleon perched atop a massive coif of curls. Where did this come…
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V49: 18th Century Quilted Petticoats
I am thinking of quilting a petticoat. My mom thinks that’s insane, but it really seems doable, even for an inpatient girl like me. The quilted petticoats in the Colonial Williamsburg book…
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V48: Reno’s Vintage Motel Signs
A few days ago I took a wander around Fourth Street in Reno, not the best place for a girl to be wandering, but I had on me the 1950s Zeiss Ikon…
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V47: Results of the Great Button Boot Survey
Awhile ago I asked you lovelies to take a survey on your preferences for Victorian button boots. Here is what you all had to say… About 455 of you participated. It was…
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V46: New “Imperfect” Section in the Shoe Shop
Hi Ladies, I created an “Imperfect” section at the American Duchess shop, where you can find Devonshires, Georgianas, and Pemberlies for 50% off. With each shipment we always get a few pairs…
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V45: Edwardian Hair Mysteries Solved – Part 4 – Beginning Styling
So far in this series, we’ve covered several aspects of Edwardian hair care and styling preparation, along with a few styling supplements. Now it’s time to put that hair up. Ladies with…
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V44: Sacramento Antiques Vintage Haul
Victorian boots. I didn’t buy these, but they’re cool to look at. You thought I was going to miss today’s post! I’m exhausted after the all-day shopping trip over-the-river-and-through-the-woods, to Sacramento yesterday.…
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V43: 18th Century Experiments in Hair, and New $6 Neckerchief
Last night I spent hours…HOURS…working on Edwardian hair styles, but I discovered that I needed more switches and hair pieces (today’s work), before attempting any more of those styles. I also tried…
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V42: Edwardian Hair Styling Mysteries Solved – Part 3 – Rats, Switches, and Wiglets
In the last two installments of this series, we took a look at how women prepared their hair for styling. They used some interesting shampoos, along with various methods of crimping and…