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Pompadour French Court Shoes, 12.5 Years Later

Pompadour French Court Shoes, 12.5 Years Later

Our Pompadour 18th Century Shoes are an American Duchess classic! With their custom, curvy Louis heel, easy-to-use tabbed latchet closure, and period accurate white rand, these babies are a tried-and-true...
American Duchess
Mules in Art: Part Deaux

Mules in Art: Part Deaux

Nearly ten years ago (omg), we published a blog post featuring mules in 18th century art for the first release of Antoinette Mules. Now that spring has arrived, Fêtes Galantes...
American Duchess
Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond

Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond

Robe a la Francaise, 1770, LACMA M.2007.211 - beautiful and expensive printed cotton One of the top questions I get from budding 18th century costumers is "what fabric should I...
Lauren Stowell
Old Projects I, Uh, Forgot to Post About

Old Projects I, Uh, Forgot to Post About

With all the updates to Ye Olde Blogge, I was going back and checking the "Projects" page when I found several costumes I finished but never actually posted about. The...
Lessons of the Volante - So Far

Lessons of the Volante - So Far

Du....Du Hast...Du Hast Mich... There's something about pleat-to-fit garments that both attract me and drive me bonkers. I think it's a combination of no two surviving examples being the same...
American Duchess
Meet the New Pompadour 18th Century Shoes

Meet the New Pompadour 18th Century Shoes

This season, we're proud to finally introduce the new and improved Pompadour 18th Century Court Shoes! We've made a few changes to this classic, curvaceous style.The Pompadours have been one...
American Duchess
Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers

Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers

Well shoot, this didn't work.... Don't you just love when you finish up a project, perhaps the first part of an ensemble, something you've maybe done numerous times before, only...
American Duchess
How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century

How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century

It's a thing in the Georgian period too! I've recently started on my next big (physically big), early 18th century project, a Robe Volante. One of the reasons I felt...
American Duchess
1720s - 1740s Robe Volante - Initial Musings

1720s - 1740s Robe Volante - Initial Musings

I just can't get enough of 18th century back pleats! The time has come. This one has been brewing for awhile. I have a sortof underdog love for weird garments...
American Duchess
Should You Always Wear a Bum Pad for 18th Century Dress?

Should You Always Wear a Bum Pad for 18th Century Dress?

The split bum, perfect for 1776 - 1790s, worn with polonaise and Italian gowns. This is particularly effective for gowns with the skirts pulled up. From the American Duchess Guide....
Lauren Stowell
The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown

The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown

This year at Costume College it really was all very, very yellow This year I kindof copped out at the Costume College Gala...but in a very Georgian way. I can't...
How to Lengthen/Shorten 18th Century Stays

How to Lengthen/Shorten 18th Century Stays

The #1 question we receive about Simplicity 8162 (and will with Simplicity 8579 as well) is how to lengthen or shorten the stays. Particularly with Simplicity 8162, the body block...