#Victorian fancy dress

[verdraaidzaamheid]

I made an 1840's style flower costume and wore it to a Victorian fancy dress ball. The design is pretty much literally taken over from this fashion plate, although I omitted the flowery sleeves (because of poor time management) and the 'necklace' (because I don't like the look of it). I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I planned to make the undergarments months in advance, but struggled so much with the corded petticoat and the corset (still didn't get it quite right in the end, but you can't really tell under the dress), that I only had six weeks to make the dress. I finished it the night before the event, as one does.

If it looks a bit frumpy in these pictures: well, I had to squeeze this dress into a tiny car first and then did some dancing before taking pictures... Still won second best place in the 'best dressed' competition that night :D

[thestars-themoon]

Victorian seasonal costume illustrations from 'Weldon's Fancy Dress for Ladies', published around 1880. Illustrations by M.H.M.

[abisalli]

happy belated Halloween (just something quick bc I wanted to draw some vampire! bats)

[frostedmagnolias]

Evening Dress

c. 1890

Mrs Oliver, Modes & Robes, London

Te Papa, NZ

[gwydpolls]

Time Travel Question 57: 19th Century

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[fashionsfromhistory]

Robe à la française

1750s; Altered 1780s & Late 19th Century

France & England

The ensemble was probably made as a sack and petticoat in the 1750s. In the 1780s, the sack was updated in style. A waist seam was probably added, the skirts reconfigured, and sleeve ruffles removed. The half-stomachers were added at this time and the bodice fronts relined. The back lacing was reconfigured and more eyelets worked.

The ensemble was altered for fancy dress in the late 19th century. Hooks and eyes were added to the bodice stomacher fronts and machine-lace ruffles to the sleeves. The petticoat may have been unpicked at this point.

The petticoat was gathered onto a cotton band after acquisition for Museum display. (V&A)

Victoria & Albert Museum (Accession Number: CIRC.157-1920)

[yesterdaysprint]

Frost’s Laws and By-Laws of American Society, S.A. Frost, 1869

[elextricbeauty]

Oh, to be born in an era where you could wear big, beautiful dresses but also not be owned by your husband. 🌿

[fashion-from-the-past]

1854

[changewingwentz]

Among the striped tulips🌷

[michaelnotwheeler]

LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK THEYRE SO PRETTY AHSJODKANNSNAKKAKK

+ og ponyboy and johnny’s reaction

[verdraaidzaamheid]

A closer look at the flower headpiece. I didn't mean to while making this, but it turned out very christmas appropriate.

Picture by Martijn van Huffelen.

[pastlivesfinery]

Fancy Dress costumes! 🪭🎀 - Revue de la Mode, 1874 💜

[is-the-19thcentury-man-okay]

Help! My 19th century man has become obsessed with olden times. He frequently visits ruins of old castles, composes odes about Agincourt, and he even went to purchase ancient armour when he heard something about the Earl of Eglinton putting on a medieval joust. Should I allow him his eccentricities? I worry that he'll forget what year he lives in entirely!

Fear not, dear anon, because it sounds like your 19th century man is very much of his own time and place with his medieval meanderings!

Here's Prince Albert himself, notable ye olde times enthusiast, in costume as Edward III in 1842. There are a number of books about Victorian medievalism that can help you understand how your 19th century man may be turning to the past as a rejection of Age of Enlightenment values (which modernity and war have tarnished in his eyes), or perhaps as a commentary on industrial society!

The aesthetics of historical times are a big draw to 19th century people (who even made ye olde medieval jokes about it). While you want to encourage a healthy balance of interests and activities, there is nothing wrong with indulging your 19th century man's love of courtly knights and castles. This is natural behaviour for him, and many of his 19th century male friends share his interests in fancy dress costumes and historical romance.

'Knight in Armour' costume from Male Character Costumes, a guide to gentlemen's costume suitable for fancy dress balls and private theatricals (1884).

[designedandplated]

Fancy Dress Costume, circa 1890s.

Avocate | Lawyer

Robe princesse devant, une couture au milieu du devant du corsage et une seule pince de chaque côté; le dos du corsage à taille ronde, ajusté à la jupe par de gros plis laissant l'ampleur de 2m50 à la jupe. Corsage décolleté devant et derrière avec épaulettes, broderie contournant le haut du corsage devant et derrière. Corsage lacé sous le bras et rattaché à l'épaulette. Bande droite plissée sur l'épaule et tombant naturellement. Cravate de dentelle. Balance de la justice brodée en soie sur le devant de la jupe; papier timbré, etc., en satin blanc cousu sur la jupe. Toque d'avocat, gants longs. Bas de soie, souliers Louis XV. Tissu à employer: Satin ou velours noir, 7 mètres sur 0m60.

Princess line dress, one seam down the centre front of the bodice and a single dart on each side; the back of the bodice has a round waist, adjusted to the skirt with large pleats leaving the skirt 2m50 wide. Bodice neckline and shoulders, have embroidery going around the top of the bodice front and back. Bodice laced under the arm and attached to the shoulder sleeve. Straight pleated fabric strip on the shoulder and falling naturally. Lace necktie. Scales of justice embroidered in silk on the front of the skirt; stamp paper, etc., in white satin sewn onto the skirt. Lawyer's hat, long gloves. Silk stockings, Louis XV shoes. Fabric to use: Black satin or velvet, 7 metres by 0m60.

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Fancy dress representing Le Comte de Saint-Bris from Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots, worn by the Marquess of Tweeddale to the Devonshire House Ball, July 2, 1897.