#1cky nanny

[thecglcatalog]

Victorian Foundations ... from our Old-World Underthings collection

One of the pleasures of owning an adult baby is the pure nostalgia value … the return to an old-fashioned sort of discipline … the play with a “seen and not heard” ethos where children were shown off and then confined to the nursery again … the power of the old-fashioned nanny or governess’ iron hand and wooden cane … the imposition of gender roles elevated to a traditional art.

Our Old-World Underthings section is all about celebrating those old-fashioned child roles with traditionally made garments that give a just-so silhouette.

Victorian Chemise.  Square-necked, translucent cotton shift has a lovingly embroidered yoke, showing a charmingly naive design of swagged roses and chubby, dancing toddlers.  Cap sleeves and gown are softly gathered onto the yoke; hem falls to mid-calf.  Specify color: Innocent White with classic redwork embroidery, Innocent White with pale blue embroidery, Ivory Champagne with ivory embroidery.

Victorian Ribbon Chemise.  A shorter version of our classic Victorian Chemise, this little shift has a neck of cotton lace with a thin satin ribbon threaded through it.  The hem falls just to the thigh.  Specify cotton color: Innocent White, Ivory Champagne, White-Rose Ticking, White-Blue Ticking.  Specify ribbon color: white, blue, pink, red.

Victorian Girl’s Petticoat.  Falling just below the knee, this classic petticoat has – depending on how you count the different flounces – anywhere from seven to twenty-four layers!  To be so helplessly enclosed in ruffles and tucks is the essential old-fashioned girlhood experience.  Scalloped edges keep this sturdy cotton garment feeling fluttery and delicate.  Ribbon waist tie.  Specify color: Innocent White, Ivory Champagne.

Victorian Girl’s Hoop Petticoat.  Hold your little girl’s skirts in a charming bell shape without the weight and fuss of layers.  Circles of wire boning stiffen this thinner cotton petticoat, with only gently gathered flounces on top to help disguise their lines.  Skirts become easier to lift, more difficult to tuck down over the legs when lying down, and almost effortless to push up for diaper changes.  Specify color: Innocent White, Ivory Champagne.

Victorian Winter Petticoat. Shaped like our Victorian Girl’s Petticoat, but a couple of inches longer to show beneath dress hems, this classic underskirt is made from tartan wool blend instead of cotton, adding weight and warmth.  So pretty for Christmas photos!  A wire-hoop layer hides amidst the flounces to compensate for the fabric’s greater weight.  Specify tartan pattern:  Sailor Suit, Polo Pink, Sunny Day, Teddy Bear Turnaround, Red Light District.

Victorian Girl’s Pantalettes.  Two separate legs made from stacked cotton ruffles tie together at the waist.  Ruffles cascade to the ankle, reminding us of a time when little girls’ legs were preserved for the sight of Mama and Papa, not strangers.  Specify color:  Innocent White, Ivory Champagne.

Victorian Flannelette Drawers.  Split-crotch drawers with a drawstring waist have a frilled cuff just below the knee.  The classic modesty undergarment below a hooped skirt!  Many of our modern customers use them for pajamas.  Specify color: Cotton Candy, Blue Ticking, Soft Brick Pinstripe.

Victorian Underwear Suit.  Based on men’s undergarments from the early 19th century, these four-piece sets make charming underwear, sleepwear, or daywear for any gender of modern baby!  Short-sleeved shirt buttons up to the neck with a small standing collar, then tucks into split-front drawer underpants that reach below the knee.  An easy-tie cravat is pre-shaped with discreet gathers; just pass around the neck and pull one end on top of the other.  Non-stretch stockings with a pieced sole tie at the knee with drawstring “garters.”

Specify underwear set color: All White, Blue Country Cotton, Red Flannel, Grey Flannel.  All White set – the most traditional – has Swan White alpaca-blend shirt and drawers, Innocent White flannelette stockings, Innocent White cotton cravat.  Blue Country Cotton set has White-Blue Ticking shirt, Innocent White stockings and cravat, Blue Gingham drawers.  Red Flannel set has Warm Cream cotton shirt, stockings, and cravat with Soft Brick Pinstripe drawers.  Grey Flannel set has all pieces in Dove Grey flannelette.