The fashion of the 18th century was full of beautiful silhouettes and fabrics, accessories and quality tailoring. Although there was a massive population of poor and lower class, the relatively rich had available to them all of the riches of recent court fashion. Although I'm not a certified fashion historian, there's a special place in my heart for the beauties of the 1700s.
Court dress, 1750s
Stays(Corset)
1765( I love the saque-back of this dress!)
Stays, Chemise and Panniers (1760s)- All of the under garments of the century were key to producing the silhouette needed for gowns of the time.
Robe à la française's 1770s
Stays
1775
Henry Guillaume Schlesinger
The Flower Girl - Albert Lynch
Robe à l'Anglaise late 1780s
Robe à l'Anglaise's late 1780s
Stripes!!! These are probably my favorites (1780s)
More beautiful stripes(1790s)
The closer the time is to the end of the 18th century, the more I love the dresses. I like that, towards the end, the hips aren't AS pronounced and the dresses are very simple, yet appealing. Of course, there are many beautiful gowns still preserved in museums around the world, but I just like to wonder what other beauties were lost with time.
Also, of course, we can't forget Marie Antoinette! Marie Antoinette is definitely one of my favorite movies...the costumes are so visually beautiful, as is the filming...and the soundtrack....gah!! There is nothing that could make the film better!
Marie's riding habit/Travelling dress literally steals the soul out of me...it's so perfect...
I love how, as the film progresses, the fashion does also, as they get further and further into the 1700s. The hips start getting smaller and the hair starts getting wider! Marie Antoinette started my love for the decadence of the 18th century....
These are a few photos from my visit to Colonial Williamsburg over Winter break. I was itching to wear my 18th century gown (far from historically accurate) and I felt like a Duchess, walking through the big houses that you can take a tour through and having people look and smile in my direction. I swear, my soul wasn't meant for this century. x
I just discovered your blog. This is a great post with some fantastic 18th century pieces. I had not seen the paints by Henry Guillaume Schlesinger and Albert Lynch before - just lovely! I have made a number of things for 18th century living history events so if you ever need help creating something feel free to ask! Most of my blog posts are more modern - 1920 to 1940s - but if you go back to my first posts you can see some of my 18th cen. gowns and research. Have a great day!
ReplyDelete-Emily
Thank you for such kindness! Your dresses are amazing! It inspires me so much to see people today reproducing the beautiful clothing of the past. I have quite a few questions, so I will send you an email! Thanks for your help!
DeleteHow lovely! My family thinks I'm crazy for liking such strange fashions, but I'd rather wear any one of these dresses than what people wear now-days. :) Your blog is really neat! Please keep it up!
ReplyDelete-Veronica
I know exactly what you mean! Everyone says that my soul is from a different century...and I agree! I would take wearing a corset, hoop skirts and heavy dresses any day, rather than jeans and t-shirts. Centuries ago, there was such elegance and modesty...it was too amazing.
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