I actually began sewing because of a love of things like this:
(I'm actually drooling, just looking at these outfits.)
It's my dream to go to the Venice Carnival (for my 30th birthday would be ace!) and make myself a crazily over the top masquerade-type outfit, based on this famous portrait of Madame de Pompadour:
So where is all my 18th century sewing love? Well, I do still adore these gowns, but, really, I have no opportunity to wear them - I don't do re-enactments and I'm too self-conscious to wander around Nottingham in stays and full on 18th century gown/jacket, petticoat and hat. So I have to make do with dreaming and writing about such things.
But, it should be no surprise that 1950s appeal to me:
(Image from the Vintage Patterns Wiki.)
Fitted bodice, BIG skirt. Oh, and lush use of colour.
So, I still carry my 18th century love with me in some respects and, more importantly, I'm looking for ways I can incorporate little touches of 18th century style in my home and clothing. I'd love to buy a pair of the good Duchess's leather Devonshire's to wear as normal shoes:
Just picture them dyed grey ... or blue ... or black ... or red ... under trousers or with tights and a dress - they wouldn't look so crazy. (Right?) But I really can't justify buying bespoke shoes, nevermind shipping them from the US - alas! So I have to make do with sighing after them.
And do the cuffs on New Look 6000 look familiar?
No? Just me then :/ But they do remind me of mid 18th century cuffs, and the buttons remind me of those on 17th and 18th century men's coats (piratical justaucorps):
Anyway, it's a ongoing little project of mine to think about how I can inject the 18th century into the 21st century (via the 1950s-60s!) - am I bonkers?
