American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Options for 1830s Headgear
This coming weekend is the first time I'll take the red 1830s dress out for a spin (assuming I :::cough::: finish it :::cough:::), and while I had grand plans to...
Adventures in the 1830s - For Real This Time
The Met, 1835 I've been wanting to make an 1830s dress for a long time now, but haven't actually, y'know, done it. Until now. I can't really account for how...
Opinions Please: Fur, Plastic, and Sheepskin
Albany Institute, 1875-85 Darlings, how do we feel about fur? How do we feel about faux fur? And how do we feel about sheepskin? The reason I ask is because...
Introducing "Savoy" Edwardian Shoes - Pre-Order Now Open!
I'm so happy to finally *properly* introduce you to "Savoy," the fully-beaded, multi-strapped Edwardian stunners inspired directly by antiques in collections like The Met, The V & A, and Shoe...
Celebrating Renoir - The Artist
In the Garden, 1885 I haven't been doing much (any) sewing since I got back from Williamsburg, so I don't have much (any) to show in that department. Instead I'd...
Coming Monday: "Renoir" and "Tissot" Civil War Boots and Slippers
It's been forever and a day that we've been working on these two mid-19th century shoes, but finally I have "Renoir" button boots, and "Tissot" slippers for you! Both styles...
Happy Valentine's Day!
...here's a pink dress... LACMA, 1830 It's a dress I'm madly in love with. It's the kind of painful sort of love that makes me want to attempt to make...
Extant Victorian Side-Lacing Gaiters
Darlings, I realize I've been going on and on about "Gettysburg" boots without showing you the real deal! So here are lots of examples of pretty gaiters from the 1830s...
Are "Gettysburg" Boots Appropriate For Civil War Costuming?
Litchfield Historical Society - 1860 There's quite a lot of quibbling on Facebook about the dating on the new "Gettysburg" boots, so I'm here to give some insight into how...
Pre-Order: "Gettysburg" Victorian Side-Lace Boots
Today I'm happy to open the pre-order for "Gettysburg" Victorian Side-Lace Boots. Pre-Order January 10 - 30, 2014 SALE $135 ($155) www.AmericanDuchess.com Gettysburg boots are typical of footwear found between...
Practical Footwear, 1860-1880
AuntieNan asks: What did they wear in the way of practicality, on a railway journey, say, or going to town? Why, boots! Delicious, delightful boots! Just like the re-emergence of...
And The Next AD Shoe Is...
Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll to help determine what our next shoe release is. I'm happy to announce that the winner, by a landslide, is Gettysburg! We'll...