American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Studying Up on Tudor Footwear
Mary Rose Shoes - via Tudor shoes are old. They're about as old as we get for extant shoes, with the exception of a very few Medieval examples. It's quite...
FlapperHacks: Retro-cycling a Hat and Dress for Gatsby 2015
As all you modern Flappers will know, original 1920s clothing can be hard to find and scary to wear (don't sweat on it!), so it behooves us to collect our...
The Enormous Costume College Picture Post
Costume College was fantastic this year! I had a great time, taught some classes, made new friends, caught up with old friends, ate chicken, wore enormous dresses. It was great....
Hello from Costume College!
Reporting from Costume College: Hello! We're half way through and having a fabulous time! I have lots of pictures to share with you when I get back, but in the...
Review: Rago 721 Waist Cincher from Hourglass Angel
The more I study and wear vintage clothing...and the older I get...the more in favor on body shaping I become. Sure, a variety of underpinnings is historically accurate for the...
Miss Fisher's Fabulous Fashion
I'm *deep* in Costume College prep fog, but I have been winding down my nights watching Season 2 of "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries," an Australian series that is everything you...
The Silver Ghost 1770s Robe a la Francaise at Costume College
It was a good hair day Posting from the future - 2020.I realize I never completed the project link for the Silver Ghost Francaise. To be honest, I have very...
The Silver Ghost Francaise - Progress
After posting about where to find patterns for Robes a la Francaise, I thought it time to share the one I'm working on. This is "The Silver Ghost," and it's...
Happy Bastille Day! (And Happy SALE!)
Happy Bastille Day! For me, Bastille Day marks the middle of the year. It says, "you've come this far, and now it's time to look towards the Fall" (may favorite...
Where to Find Patterns for 18th c. Robes a la Francaise
LACMA - via Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know I'm working on an enormous Robe a la Francaise for the Costume College Gala. I'm calling her...
Double Vintage 1970s-does-1930s Wide Legged Pants
If you've been following me for awhile you'll know I have a bit of an obsession with vintage pants. Although I own and wear modern low-rise jeans, I much prefer...
Introducing Royal Vintage Shoes - Shoes for 1920s through 1940s
For the past few years I've been running a historical footwear company called American Duchess. We make a lot of really old fashioned shoes, all the way back to the...