Hi B,
Your notes really got me thinking and remembering both myself and
friends planning "historic" weddings. I finally had the lightbulb go
on for myself 'way back when I was discussing music with Patri
Pugliese. I had favorites ranging from 18thC to 1950s swing, and
wondered if it was proper to arrange the music in chronological
order? He said that he planned balls for a specific eras and would
never mix it up that much. I realized that I could do whatever I
wanted, it's not a historic event, and I should throw in everything I
felt like doing!
Earlier you mentioned how ballroom attire fits the prevailing dances
of the era. For women, at least, because men have been wearing
breeches/trousers for a coupla centuries and are not dealing with
different widths & lengths of skirts.
So, about this tango I'm wracking my brain about the early
development of it, and all I can remember is Richard Powers saying
that it was originally done by the wrong sorts of people in the wrong
side of town. I don't know if there was anything tango-like going on
in the 1830s, but if it was I doubt it involved the intricate legwork
of modern Argentine style.
Practice is helpful, and essential so if you two are dancers and want
to show off a bit for the relatives. He can wear any trousers to
practice, and you need to wear a skirt of the same length/volume.
I know what you are saying about the rehearsal skirt giving a clue to
the shape of the wedding dress. But remember, historic weddings are
really a 20thC thing. For most eras (even the 20thC), wedding
dresses followed the prevailing style, so a groom would know what to
expect as far as the shape of the skirt they bride would wear.
I'm hearing a lot of conflict and specific things you want to do, and
came up with a few suggestions.
- practice in the same type of skirt and don't worry about it giving
clues to the dress style.
- find a different dance style that can be easily done in the dress you
want to wear.
- change the dress, or the skirt, or de-volumize the skirt (make it to
remove the puffiness) for the reception. You still have the impact for
the wedding itself, kind of like how modern dresses with trains are made
to bustle up.
- Have a really flexible attitude or a huge sense of humor about it all.
If you're worried about it looking good in the photos or video, and
you're not going to practice in the skirt, weeeeelllll...
-Carol
> Hello, thanks for pointing this out!
>
> When I say his suit is "1830s" is a bit vague -- the pattern said 1790, I
> definitely see the style around much later.
>
> I hate the 1830s sleeves and won't make those.
>
> I thought the 1830s full skirts were made with crinolines, but apparently,
> they weren't cage crinolines yet, thanks for clarifying this.
>
> Apparently, if I want to go for anything 1830-1850-ish, pretty much any
> skirt width would go, which is good... yet, it is becoming stiff a
> petticoat with multiple flounces, but no wire or extra stiffening.
>
> Thanks,
> B M
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