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historical costume projects & resources

The Plan for the Coming Year: all 18th century, baby

(Tell me you’re surprised)

I keep wanting to do a 2012 wrap-up post, but am stymied by the fact that I have yet to upload photos from the GBACG holiday tea last weekend and then to post about said event.  So in lieu of those posts, which are indeed forthcoming, let’s talk about the coming year!

I’m going to France!  Specifically, the same group of friends who rented a manor house in England a few years back are getting together to rent a petit château in the very south of France, near Toulouse.  I’m going to get to play dress up in this:

We are, as all sane and right-thinking people would do, making it all 18th century, all the time (for our costume events).  So while I have some things in my wardrobe that I may bring along (one of my françaises, my Turkish ensemble for lounging, my proper polonaise for sure; maybe the round gown, or the gaulle, or the riding habit, or the Brunswick — oh god, I need to start whittling!), I am of course making some new things.  Although after looking at that list, I am wondering why a bit…

For sure, I am going to make:

1. A 1770s camisole à la polonaise, this jacket filled out by this fashion plate:

Caraco, entre 1770 et 1780. Musée Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. GAL1992.177.X.
Camisole à la Polonaise, de Mousseline des Indes, doublée de Taffetas rose. Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 31e. Cahier. 1780.

2. This c. 1780 redingote as seen in this sketch of Marie-Antoinette:

Drawing of Marie Antoinette, about 1785, ink and color on paper, Artist unknown. From Lofstad slott, Norrkoping, Sweden. From the blog Fashion Is My Muse.

3. I’m also going to be making a hand tambour-embroidered waistcoat for Francis.  

If I have time, I may also make either this robe à la turque:

Wille, Young Woman Admiring a Miniature, 1778

Or a 1770s robe à la française from this striped fabric:

Phew!  I’ll be posting lots more about each of these projects — the camisole and redingote are actually under way — shortly.  Plus that tea recap, and the 2012 recap!

9 thoughts on “The Plan for the Coming Year: all 18th century, baby

  1. Gah, now I want to make all of *your* costumes instead of mine!

    Oh & what about a silk taffeta dressing gown? You’ll need one for lounging about, mademoiselle!

  2. I was thinking about that, but then I realized that my Turkish outfit will be perfect for lounging and it’s already made!

  3. Whoa! I’m so happy for you! It’s going to be a fantastic trip! (And I’m insanely envious of it all. Amazing location. Fabulous company. Stunning costumes. I really really want to go too!)

    And I know I’m going to love your version of the Marie Antoinette redingote! It looks like it was designed to be worn by you. You are going to look so fabulous in it that I feel now very insecure about my plans to make it later in the year. Oh well, doesn’t matter. 🙂

    Have fun! (I’m sure you will.) I can’t wait to see all your new outfits and more pictures of your old ones. So exciting!

  4. What do you mean “for our costume events”??? I say 18th century immersion week! All costumes all the time! 😉

  5. What a great trip you will have !
    Will you come to Vaux le Vicomte this year, for the Journée Grand Siècle ?
    It will be on May, 26 normally.
    French people (who I am 😉 ) would be delighted to see you !

  6. Aurelie: I’d LOVE to come to the Journee again, but I don’t think it’s practical as it’s about 7 hours away from where we are staying (the date is right in the middle of our stay).

  7. Merja – how cool that we’re both planning to make the same dress (really!)! I’m SUPER excited to see your version. We’ll need to meet on the same continent some year and model them together!

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