#fashion history

[gailyinthedark]

I'm actually running an experiment in my own life right now to see how much washing and replacing of clothing I can save myself by wearing strictly linen and wool garments. I purchased some of the material on sale and some secondhand. I've got two simple linen tunics for base layers and am working on a wool one to layer overtop plus some pants, socks and underwear, all loosely based on Roman and early Medieval styles. It's my big project for 2025 so we'll see how it goes!

"hey why are all the barrier garments like linen shirts or chemises or combinations going away?"

"oh we have more washable fabrics now! you don't need to worry about sweat reaching your outer clothing when you can just chuck it in the washing machine!"

"cool!"

[100 years later]

"so uh all of those new washable fabrics are leaching microplastics into our water, and the constant machine-washing wears garments out faster. they're also not really sturdy enough to be mended, so we keep having to throw them out and now the planet is covered in plastic fabric waste that will never break down. also it turns out that the new washable fabrics hold odor-causing bacteria VERY well. so could we get those barrier garments back please?"

"sorry babe linen now costs $100000/yard and since it's been so long without them, nobody knows how to adapt barrier garments to the current styles anyway"

"..."

"maybe try this new $50 undershirt made of Special Sweat-Wicking Plastic Fabric! :) :) :)"

[frostedmagnolias]

Beaded leather boots

c. 1917-1918

UNT Digital Library

[eirene]

La Señora Garay, circa 1938

Ignacio Zuloaga

[historicalshroe]

IN LOVE

Man's waistcoat and woman's dress from ca. 1830-35, both made from the same fabric which is thought to be embroidered Chinese silk satin imported to Europe, embroidered with white flowers and multi coloured butterflies.

[dozydawn]

[achronalart]

FWIW, "mauve" was one of the coal-tar dyes developed in the mid-19th century that made eye-wateringly bright clothing fashionable for a few decades.

It was an eye-popping magenta purple

HOWEVER, like most aniline dyes, it faded badly, to a washed-out blue-grey ...

...which was the color ignorant youngsters in the 1920s associated with “mauve”.

(This dress is labeled "mauve" as it is the color the above becomes after fading).

They colored their vision of the past with washed-out pastels that were NOTHING like the eye-popping electric shades the mid-Victorians loved. This 1926 fashion history book by Paul di Giafferi paints a hugely distorted, I would say dishonest picture of the past.

Ever since then this faded bluish lavender and not the original electric eye-watering hot pink-purple is the color associated with the word “mauve”.

[artschoolglasses]

Memento Mori Finger Ring, black enamel and gold, 17th Century

From the London Museum

[stevviefox]

Ooooo, pretty!

"A breathtaking masterpiece of 1920’s couture by legendary designer Sadie Nemser. Composed of aquamarine silk velvet and metallic silver lace, adorned with hand made ribbon flowers, beads and pearls."

xtabayvintage via Instagram

[toyastales]

A bracelet clasp with a Medusa on an emerald cameo. Gold is treated with diamond and enamel. 18th century. Made in England.

[frostedmagnolias]

Blue Dress with Velvet Panel

c. 1889

Label: Mme Amédée François / Robes & Confections / 76, Rue Truve des Petits Champs (Paris)

Albany Institute of History & Art

[laurenillustrated]

I started drawing the Ever After High girls in random historical fashion eras… why? I have no idea

Raven Queen in 1890s, Apple White in Italian Renaissance.

Briar Beauty in 1920s, Madeline Hatter in 1880s

No particularly reason for the eras, just the vibe I get from the characters and their designs!

[olgadealexandria]

how I can see Snowing White absolutely wearing this is how I know it's from the 30s

Evening dresses, 1930s-40s.

[marzipanandminutiae]

I was about to be irritated at a shitty "kids' education" website on 1770s clothing but then I learned that there's a staymaker buried at King's Chapel and now I'm just delighted to know the gravesite of a clothing worker from that era and I want to take him flowers

[die-rosastrasse]

François Martin-Kavel & pink fabrics

French, 1861-1931

[historical-fashion-polls]

costumes from Casanova

submitted by @thecorrupteddatabase 🖤💛