Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Saturday, September 20, 2014

· My Very Own White Regency Dress ·


Here's another "from the archives" dress!  This dress was made back in 2009 in preparation for a trip to England.  I wanted a new dress for the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, and I knew it was high time that I finally had my very own White Regency Dress.

I knew they were rather overdone and a dime a dozen, but I just couldn't resist the siren call....  I tried to add more details and think outside the box a bit so that it wasn't too predictable. ;-)


There was a gown in Kyoto Costume Institute's "Fashion" book that really spoke to me.  I loved the vandyke trim and how unusual it was!  I also noticed that a center front skirt decoration was rather common in many garments I saw, so I wanted to be sure to incorporate that.

I knew I wanted short sleeves so that it could be ball-suitable, but I was making it in my Puffy Sleeve Phobia phase. (I'm glad I grow out of most phases, because this one in particular proved to be a bit of a handicap at times! :-P)  I discovered a fashion for smooth short sleeves though, so that's what I ended up doing!  I am still rather fond of the look, and I like how they're a bit uncommon for most reproductions. :-)


The dress is yet another bib-front gown- I really do like those!  I made it like I did my block-print gown, which you can read about here.  The added bonus to bib-fronts is that they're super adjustable! ;-)

The fabric was an embroidered voile from JoAnns that added a nice textural interest.  I made the trim from a strip of plain voile and folded it into the vandyke points.


This necklace is just a vintage paste stone necklace from an antique mall.  I really don't recall how historically accurate it is for Regency, but I think it's pretty anyway. ;-)


The skirt is also trimmed with vandyke points, however these are all made separately and handstitched on.

I was glad the skirt wasn't super full. ;-)


This dress closes with Dorset buttons made by my mom. :-)  I love all the white-on-white textures and visual interest in this shot!

Also, I'm wearing this dress with my trusty Old Faithful- my chemisette.  I'll be doing a post next week highlighting what a huge difference it makes in the way these dresses look!  I just really love it. :-D


Due to the fashionably narrow back, the sleeves are gathered tightly between the shoulder and side-back seams to allow for the needed motion.  It does a remarkably good job, while not looking oddly puffy when my arms are in their normal position.  I always think it's fascinating to discover the fashionable ideals from a period, and then see their ways of accomplishing the sometimes nearly-insurmountable physical obstacles! ;-)


I wanted the dress to be on the shorter side to show off my shoe lacing and I'm rather fond of the look! :-)

And of course, I'm wearing it with my turban.  Because everyone needs more excuses for turbans.
Mine was made using Lynn McMasters' Padded Turban Tutorial using leftover scraps from my Sari Dress.  Since I made it, I've ended up just wrapping shawls into turbans most of the time instead of wearing this one.  After wearing this again though, I remember how much I do like it. :-)

Back when I made it in 2009, I was a bit young for a turban and was advised by a Much More Well-Informed Woman to wait until I was 21 before I wore them.  I was thrilled when I finally turned 21. :-D

Of all the things 21 brings- turbans are the best, I think.

· Huge thanks to Kathryn for taking these pictures twice!  I didn't like the way I looked the first time (humidity is my Greatest Nemesis!!), and she was a super kind and obliging friend and re-did them for me. :-) ·

My friends are much too nice sometimes. ;-)

26 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! I just love the vandyke trim! And your mom makes marvelous buttons!! :-) I've been wanting to make a white regency gown for a while! I need one to wear with the Patterns Of Fashion half-robe that I want to make. I can never seem to find the right fabric though!
    Beautiful job!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Esther! :-) I've loved that half-robe for years, but have never made it.... hope you get around to it soon!

      Delete
  2. At first I was like, "oh another white regency dress" then I saw the details and I was like, "holy crap! That is one beautiful dress. I love all the little details, especially that van dyke trim and those dorset buttons. Very very nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks so much, Tracey! :-) Your comment definitely made me smile! (and blush!)

      Delete
  3. This dress is sooo stunning - and the photos of you in it are lovely, too! I love all of the little details in the dress. You do such beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very pretty, unusual details, and it fits you wonderfully. I hope you get to wear it again sometime!

    Best,
    Quinn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Quinn! The bib front style is very forgiving, fit wise. ;-) It has proved to be a quite versatile staple, and has been worn so much that it feels like "this old thing" now! So it's nice to have pretty pictures of it that remind me how much I really *do* still like it. ;-)

      Delete
  5. Really, really lovely, the details are beautiful! The turban adds a nice splach of colour, and looks very good on you.

    I was amused about the age and turban thing; one of the first 19th century pieces of clothing I ever made was a white, frilly cap. I always loved the look of those, but of course I was too young to wear one as a teenager. Now I'm past 30 - almost middle aged by 19th century standards - and can get away with wearing caps in some at-home-settings as late as the 1840's-60's :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sarah! :-) Hehe! It is funny how some things with historical garments can make you look like "lamb dressed as mutton"! I haven't developed a love for frilly caps yet, but I guess I still have time before that's even appropriate. :-D

      Delete
  6. This is a beautiful dress and I love all the details. I find it especially interesting about the tightly gathered sleeves between the shoulders! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, I enjoyed this post. Your gown is beautiful and the details perfectly exquisite. I was amazed that you found your fabric at JoAnn's. They really do come through at times. Wonderful choice!

    Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial for the turban. It inspired me to start a Pinterest board on costuming ideas. :)

    Your gowns are truly works of art and are inspiring--thank you for sharing them with the internet world!

    Krista

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lily!!! I just cannot believe the detailing on this dress!! :-) It's absolutely stunning...and beautiful on you, too might I add! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my wow!! I LOVE this dress! The triangles on the skirt are so fabulous and your sleeves are so cool and different from others I have seen! What a great outfit!
    Blessings!
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is absolutely amazing! Your work is truly amazing!!
    I am so exited to find your blog (via the Boyer sisters)!!

    love and joy,
    Cassie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cassie! And welcome!- I'm so glad you stopped by!

      Delete
  11. This is beautiful! I agree with Gina, the white-on-white details are stunning. And the chemisette ruffle is a perfect finishing touch!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well done! You have inspired me! Were you in Bath this year? I was. My first JAF! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angela, sadly I wasn't there this year... I have only attended one, and that was back in 2009- it was delightful though, and I'm thoroughly jealous of you!! :-)

      Delete
  13. I'm terribly impressed.... you have been given quite the gift, Lily! Love the gown and the turban... just embarking upon my first Regency sew-a-rama in preparation for the JASNA AGM in Louisville.... 10 days to go and two dresses half done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Mary. :-) You are too kind! I hope you had a delightful time at JASNA!

      Delete

 

Copyright © 2013 Mode de Lis . All rights reserved. | Designed by PrairieRoseDesigns.com