Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller popped up next on my iPod. As I listened I thought of some friends who love the 1930s and 40s. They are World War II reenactors, swing dancers and club hoppers. They scour vintage and second-hand shops looking for that “new” fur wrap or handbag to add to their vintage Read More...
Tag: Fashion Plates
1861 & Dressed for a Party
Ahh.. you can just imagine Melanie’s birthday party ball right before the men go off to fight where the young ladies are dressed in their ruffled gowns trying to capture the attention of some young officer. Read More...
February Wedding Gown Inspiration
I love the Valentine pink satin used for the bridesmaid dress in this 1909 plate from Journal des Demoiselles. The deep fringe on the sash and her HUGE hat with black feathers is just stunning. Read More...
Stuck Between Civil War & Bustle
This newly acquired fashion plate from 1869 really struck a chord with me. Probably the blue and stripes thing. Not to mention that both evening gowns are made of gorgeous silk taffeta or satin. What are your thoughts on this transitional fashion plate? The white skirt can be made from a good cotton base with Read More...
1830 Acid Green “Slytherin” Dress
Back in September 2008, the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild (GBACG) held a lovely “Wives and Daughters Picnic” in Berkeley, CA. As the Bay Area Guild always produces fantastic events, I decided to carpool up with a friend for a time period event that is rarely seen. Corded petticoats, here we come! I’d already made Read More...
Costumes Parisiens Chapeaux -1830
Now how lovely are these three head pieces? Those Romantic Era ladies had some design imagination to come up with these large feathered and laced-up toppers. Which one do you like best? Read More...
Something Fun for a Regency Ball
From the January 1812 La Belle Assemblee – a Fancy Ball Dress of a white embroidered gown with green overdress and a matching mustard yellow plaid sash/scarf and turban wrap. Read More...
Seamlines of 1860s Fashions
As I browse through the myriad of fashions in my Godey’s Lady’s Books from the 1860s, I take note that underneath all the ruffles, rows of velvet bands, trim panels, fringe and other various items, the shape of the dresses themselves stays relatively the same. Honestly, if you study any mainstream fashion you’ll notice the Read More...