American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
V18: Take the Victorian Button Boot Survey
It's time for a little "focus group" research, to see what you ladies think about Victorian Button Boots. I've had a lot of requests for these, so I'm looking in...
V17: What Real Women Wore in 1912
I get so starry-eyed when I look at evening gowns and haute couture of the 19teens. It's easy to forget that most women didn't wear anything even remotely like this....
V14: Edwardian Shoe Candy
To celebrate the Astoria coming out on Monday, I want to post some of my favorite images of Edwardian shoes. It was such a wonderful time for footwear. Ladies' shoes...
V8: Bring On the Edwardians...
1911, the Met As much as I adore musing (or tearing my hair out) over 1770s costume ideas, fabrics, and plans, there are more pressing matters to attend to. The...
V6: Favorite Yellow Things of the 18th Century
I decided yesterday to make my Williamsburg jacket and petticoat in bright-ass yellow, a color that was extremely popular in the 18th century. With the boom of all-things-Chinese and far-East...
V5: Williamsburg Ensemble #1 Plan
Something like this...but...flouncier. Thanks to all of you who commented on my first post about my Williamsburg costume conundrum, especially Abby, Nicole, and Hallie, I have come upon a plan....
V3: Reconciling Myself to the 1770s
My dear mother and I are planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg in October of this year. Of course, that means getting all excited about costume possibilities NOW, and planning...
The Snakes of the American Revolution
Betsy Ross and company, how pastoral they all look, sewing the stars and stripes.... While we enjoy watermelon and baby back ribs, fireworks and parades this 4th of July, let's...
Costume Analytics: 1784 Robe a l'Anglaise, from The Met
1784 Robe a l'Anglaise, from the Met It's about time for a new Costume Analytics! I've been so tied up with shoes, and museums, and sewing stuff, that I've neglected...
Regency Wardrobe Planning for the Jane Austen Festival, July 2011
My but don't I have a lot of work to do. My best friend Maggie moved to Tennessee this past December, and has already been enjoying the wonderful Regency era...
Extant 18th c. Stays from the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Museum, Nevada
A little while ago I attended a fascinating lecture on underwear through the ages, presented by Jan the Costume Anthropologist at the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Research Center. While...
Magazine Treasures of 1916
Recently I lucked into the acquisition of real honest-to-goodness primary source material, courtesy of an old friend of mine from high school, Corinne. Her dear mother was getting rid of...