American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
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...
V364: Corset Training - Week 2 Report
It's been about two weeks now that I've been consistently wearing a Victorian corset for about 7+ hours per day. I've already learned so much about my body, the effects...
V365: Costumed Ladies in Genoa, NV
This past weekend, a group of Great Basin Costumers attended an absolutely delightful play in Genoa, NV, one of the oldest settlements in Northern Nevada, and a delightful little town...
V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown
I've been a bad blogger, but only because I've been *really* busy trying to get the Green Acres gown done for a local Victorian ball, this past Saturday. I suppose...
V362: Corset Training - Week 1 Report
It's been a week of daily corset wearing, and it's time to report on all my findings! Here goes... Simplicity 9769 Is Not Your Friend I started the week with...
V361: Corset Training - Facing Questions and Issues
Hi! I've been wearing my corset now for 7 days, and within even this short amount of time, I have learned quite a lot about corseting, and also been asking...
V360: New Shoe Goo to Play With (And You Can Too!)
...and by "Shoe Goo" I just mean cool stuff like leather paints, creams, and polishes. Good stuff. I've finally been able to get some Angelus products in the shoe shop,...
V359: "Green Acres" Bustle - Progressing on the Bodice
I haven't been sewing consistently, but I have made more progress on the bodice for this giant green bustle dress. It's beginning to look like the end - needs finishing...
V358: Rudolf Nureyev Exhibition at the de Young, San Francisco
Chris and I popped over The Hill for a photo shoot this past week, and while we were there, we visited the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. On...
V357: Beginning Corset Training - Day 1
My New Years Resolution for 2013 is to experiment with corset training. Nothing crazy. Nothing extreme. I'm just curious about the effect consistent pressure on the natural waist will have...
V356: A Few More Antique and Vintage Shoes
Well, here I am again to show you more historic shoes from my rapidly growing collection.... Wedding Slippers, 1870s. These are a perfect example of an 1870s slipper. They have...
V355: Green Acres Bustle Gown Progress
Little by little this gown is coming together. It's complicated! Please forgive my lack of backdrop - working on a better system! I have all the trims on the skirt...