In a message dated 7/28/2005 4:29:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Under the corset will go the linen shift, of course, but over that I'll need a petticoat. I'm a bit confused by some of the websites I've been visiting: were period petticoats shaped like the gowns that went over them, that is, with a small sleeveless bodice, like a slip? Would you recommend linen or cotton? 3) The event has some day events and a ball in the evening. Since there isn't much time, though, I was hoping I could "cheat" by making a gown that could be used for the ball, but making a spencer or pelisse to cover it up, and wearing a chemisette to disguise it further. (I'll swap a bonnet for a turban, too.) The two examples I'm leaning towards are: http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/regency/02-1810walkingspencer.jpg or http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/regency/01-acandace-1815-2-yes.jpg This would probably mean making the gown white cotton. Would that be OK for a ball gown, especially for someone my age? The petticoat is a separate undergarment. However, some of the more sheer dresses have what is described as a "slip," but we would call an underdress, either in a vivid color or a peach/pink, to look skin-toned. What of the questions I don't know the answer to is, would one have also worn a petticoat under such a slip? You can also make detachable long sleeves, as well as a chemisette, for the "day" look, and then remove them for evening. A spencer would also be a good coverup for daytime, and, by all means, swap headgear. It can be of a dark colored silk or wool in colder weather. White does seem to have been worn by all ages. I have used white Swiss cotton batiste (hideously expensive!), and have also had good luck with Indian cotton curtains with a heavier woven pattern--the Restoration Hardware ones w ere great; the Target ones, while cheaper, I'm not as happy with. But I wear one of these dresses, with long sleeves, and a colored fichu, colored gloves a and coordinating bonnet for day. For evening, I wear a turban, leave off the fichu, wear my good cameo jewelry, white kid gloves, and a fan. I contend that mixing and matching for day into evening looks was probably rather common in the early 19th century, even among the fairly well-to-do. Most people just did not have a lot of clothes. I have fun switching spencers, shawls, bonnets, turbans, reticules, gloves, chemisettes, shoes, and boots to change the look of my basic dresses. Look at the Old Sturbridge Village website, _www.osv.org_ (http://www.osv.org) , cat. #26.33.166, for an early 19th century dress with its own matching tucker (or chemisette) and detachable sleeves. Ann Wass _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
