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All That Glitters: White, Light, and Bright Gowns in the Past

All That Glitters: White, Light, and Bright Gowns in the Past

1784 Robe a l'Anglaise (source? is this The Met?) In my travels around the Land of the Internet lately I have noticed countless white (or some version thereof, like creme,...
American Duchess
18th c. Shoes: A Bit About Heels

18th c. Shoes: A Bit About Heels

From the Met - early 18th c. These are men's shoes, although it's difficult to tell Maddalena asks: Is it true that the king used to wear red heels to...
American Duchess
Tagged: Research Shoes
Planned Projects for My 18th c. Ladies

Planned Projects for My 18th c. Ladies

What's in the works here at American Duchess? KCI's embroidered voile Regency gown, plus Janet Arnold's open robe, done up in gleeming red taffeta. Deadline for this is December 18th,...
American Duchess
Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing = Tailoring Magic for the 18th c. Costumer

Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing = Tailoring Magic for the 18th c. Costumer

Do you guys know about Gertie's? I don't remember how I found this blog, but it's absolutely fantastic. She is doing a "sew along" on a retro-style winter coat, and...
American Duchess
Costume Analytics: The American Redingote, 1791

Costume Analytics: The American Redingote, 1791

This week on Costume Analytics we will take a trip across the Pond and look at a snazzy American fashion, depicted in Ralph Earl's 1791 portrait of Mrs. William Moseley....
American Duchess
What Exactly IS a Tea Gown?

What Exactly IS a Tea Gown?

Pretty new teacup from Sacramento. There is a tea coming up, to which my Lady Mother and I have been invited, and we're quibbling over what to wear. In our...
American Duchess
What Is the Difference Between a Caraco and a Casaquin?  and Other 18th c. Jackets...

What Is the Difference Between a Caraco and a Casaquin? and Other 18th c. Jackets...

Countess Olympe asked the question, "what is the difference between a caraco and a casaquin?" And what about those other jackets-with-mysterious-French-names too? Well here we go... Disclaimer: The information in...
American Duchess
Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette's Dove Grey Riding Habit

Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette's Dove Grey Riding Habit

Welcome to "Costume Analytics," where we take a close look (or as close as possible) at scintillating costume pieces from portraits, movies, and museums, and break down what they're made...
American Duchess
Cranach and Holbein and Durer, Oh My...

Cranach and Holbein and Durer, Oh My...

"Judith Victorious" Cranach, c 1530 Something I'm thinking about, but I'm not *sure* about right now. I've had an itch, a tiny only mildly itchy itch, for some years now,...
American Duchess
The Stays That Bind: Olympe's 18th c. Stays

The Stays That Bind: Olympe's 18th c. Stays

Starting a new project, a pair of stays, a commission for Olympe. Olympe's materials - cream jacquard, yellow linen, and the stays shall be interlined in canvas They will lace...
American Duchess
18th Century Notebook

18th Century Notebook

This just in, from Demode (which means most of you already know about this): The 18th Century Notebook A vast and huge consolidation of 18th c. clothing from across the...
American Duchess
Tagged: Research
Gussets, Godets, and Gores ... and progress on the 17th c. Jacket

Gussets, Godets, and Gores ... and progress on the 17th c. Jacket

First, the progress - the bodice is sewn together, the sleeves assembled, wings on, and sleeves set in. They still pull the tiniest bit at the shoulders, causing the shoulder...
American Duchess