Trimming an Early Victorian Bonnet

Flipping through the stack of (digital) fashion plates, I was enthralled by so many ideas for how to decorate an Early Victorian Bonnet. I was doing trim research last summer to complete my poke bonnet for Costume College and fell in love even more with this lesser-known era. Taken from period publications, early photographs and surviving pieces, here Read More...

1902 Early Autumn Suits

  The Early Autumn Suit from September 1902 in The Ladies Home Journal. The distinctive features of the new autumn suits are the bolero coats, the jackets, the large sleeves and the wide collars. As may be seen from these models the flounced, the plain, the tucked and the kilted skirt are all used. The suits are made Read More...

Regency Red

I can just see Caroline Bingley in this lovely dress, floating around Netherfield at the ball while gazing down at the country bumpkins invited to the formal affair. Click below to see what Lydia Bennet would like to have. (And can I say that the sleeveless white dress the character wears in the 2006 Pride & Prejudice Read More...

Not Your Grandma’s Nightgown

Don’t think for a minute that Victorian undies are frumpy. I’m talking about late Victorian chemises here. They’re not some long, plain gown with no trim, a conservative cut and b-o-r-i-n-g. I hope your frillies make you feel confident. They should because that’s where your time travel begins – when you first throw that chemise Read More...