American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
American Duchess & Royal Vintage Winter Sales!
Here's the official announcement: All sorts of things are on sale: Lots of our regular line marked down, such as Virginia, Antoinette, Tissot, and more Imperfects, while they last Dead...
1930s Velvet Evening Gown Inspiration
To get right to it, I have about two weeks to make my Christmas Party dress. This year it's green and it's velvet, and it's all the fault of these...
A Real 1920s Lady...Woman...Nun?
Can't call this a flapper dress! Remember that part in "Chicago" where Roxy doesn't want to wear the demure dress to court because it's so frumpy? Yup, that's this dress...
A 1930s "Bonnie & Clyde" Sweater Blouse
Another adventure in sewing knits - I'm hooked, now! I've got my wooly nylon thread, my ballpoint needles, and a goodly dose of foolhardiness. Sorting through my vintage sweaters board...
All About the New 16th c. "Tudor" Exclusives
It's been *ages* in prototyping the new Tudor shoes, but they're finally done! This has been an interesting project, one with many challenges. The first was sorting out the design....
Retro-cycling Modern Sweaters to Make Vintage Sweaters
Rocket Originals UK - reproduction patterned sweater in claret. I'm sweater obsessed at the moment. It might be that it's November and snowing outside (yay!), but it's also because ready-made...
So You Think You Can't Sew Vintage Knitwear....
Well I'm here to tell you you can! To sound a bit cheesy I'll say "if I can do it, you can too," but that is absolutely true - I...
My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action
Over my years of historical costuming, I've learned enough about corsetry to know I know nothing. This is engineering to a T, with bust-to-waist ratios, shaping, materials knowledge and use,...
Oxblood Stratford Elizabethan Shoes ON SALE
I know many of you have been patiently waiting, so here's the official announcement: Oxblood Stratford Elizabethan Shoes are on SALE at www.AmericanDuchess.com We have a new shipment of oxblood...
How to Add Shaped Pockets to Pants and Skirts
Pockets. We need them. We put things in them. They keep our hands warm. They're conspicuous in their absence on pants, and a pleasure when included in skirts. Quite a...
An Easy Thrifted and Me-Made 1930s Fall Outfit
With so many fanciful gowns from various centuries lingering in my closet, 20th century items just feel like normal clothes now. Which is great! Sure, I wear my share of...
8 Easy Historical Halloween Costume Ideas
It's nearly Halloween time, and I'm sure you're all thinking about (or working feverishly on) your costumes! Halloween can be a weird time for historical costumers. We costume all year...