Sounds lovely. Answering the question of what to do with a train, both
in terms of carrying it and in terms of protecting it, is a challenge.
Here are some thoughts:
For the gowns just before 1800 that were fuller, women are shown
twisting the train up behind their backs, holding a bit of it under
their arms, or pulling the fullness of the skirt around towards the
front. Here are some images from Heideloff's:
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1795-03-0005.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1795-07-0005.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1795-10-0005.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1795-11-0002.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1797-08-0002.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1798-03-0005.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1799-05-0002.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1799-10-0002.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/heideloff-1800-10-0005.jpg
On the other hand, the fashionable ladies promenading at Kensington
Gardens in 1804 allowed their trains to flow behind them, so elegantly.
Notice, however, that their petticoats/undergowns also appear to be
trained. This might be a clue as to how to protect the overgown from
excessive soiling. A easy to wash plain cotton undergown beneath a
diaphonous overgown would work well.
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/1804-fashionsoflondon-promenade-Kensingtongardens.jpg
By 1810 trains all but disappear, and even before that there are many
images of gowns that have no trains.
And, as an aside, if making a formal gown for evening, be sure to
differentiate between 'ball dress' and 'evening wear.' I have yet to
find an image of a post-1810 ball gown that has a train. Up to and
around 1810 there are plenty of 'full dress' or 'evening wear' or 'opera
dress' gowns that do, but ball gowns, no.
Ball dress:
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/1809-wu-ackermann-balldress.png
Evening full dress:
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/1800train/1809-white-washington.jpg
By the way, I would be suspicious of claims that all women wrapped their
gowns over their arms to pull them tight. SOunds like a modern
interpretation!
- Hope
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