hats and laces

a peek into fashions of the past centuries.
open the closet and indulge yourself in silks, bows, velvet fans and embroidered skirts.
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  • chocolatepot:

Reception gown (or costume), Mme Ed. E. Thomé, ca. 1880; silk
Metropolitan Museum of Art 1998.271a, b; Gift of Richard Martin
Victorian fashion always contained some kind of historicizing element, and in the 1880s fashion’s focus was on the eighteenth century.  The pleats on the back of this dress are reminiscent of the sack back of a robe à la française, as are the lacy engageants; the pleated trim is a replica of that found on many historical gowns; and the compère front, with the appearance of a buttoned waistcoat, is also an historical touch.






How did I not know about this?! It’s my two most-beloved periods in fashion history combined… I couldn’t possibly ask for more! IT’S ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.
One day when I get better at sewing, I will definitely make myself one.

    chocolatepot:

    Reception gown (or costume), Mme Ed. E. Thomé, ca. 1880; silk

    Metropolitan Museum of Art 1998.271a, b; Gift of Richard Martin

    Victorian fashion always contained some kind of historicizing element, and in the 1880s fashion’s focus was on the eighteenth century.  The pleats on the back of this dress are reminiscent of the sack back of a robe à la française, as are the lacy engageants; the pleated trim is a replica of that found on many historical gowns; and the compère front, with the appearance of a buttoned waistcoat, is also an historical touch.

    How did I not know about this?! It’s my two most-beloved periods in fashion history combined… I couldn’t possibly ask for more! IT’S ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.

    One day when I get better at sewing, I will definitely make myself one.

    (via mimic-of-modes)


  • #19th century      #extant      #victorian      #1880s      #wedding dress      #18th century      #inspirational      #robe a la francaise      #sack back gown      #lace      #favorite gown      




    January 21, 2011

    2 years ago





  • Blue silk satin corset, 1880s.
Waist: 49 cm, 19.3 inches.
Kyoto Costume Institute

    Blue silk satin corset, 1880s.

    Waist: 49 cm, 19.3 inches.

    Kyoto Costume Institute


  • #19th century      #extant      #undergarment      #corset      #lingerie      #1880s      




    November 20, 2010

    2 years ago





  • omgthatdress:

suit ca. 1880 via The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Haven’t posted menswear in a while, so here you go: eye candy!

    omgthatdress:

    suit ca. 1880 via The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

    Haven’t posted menswear in a while, so here you go: eye candy!


  • #19th century      #extant      #1880s      #menswear      




    October 28, 2010

    2 years ago





  • Wedding Dress by L.P. Hollander & Co.  			 1884
(Mint Museum)

    Wedding Dress
    by L.P. Hollander & Co.
    1884

    (Mint Museum)


  • #1880s      #1885 the greatest year      #19th century      #bustle dress      #extant      #wedding dress      #victorian      




    October 24, 2010

    2 years ago





  • defunctfashion:

Opera Gown | c. 1885
Perfection. 

Indeed! Would you mind telling me where is this housed?

    defunctfashion:

    Opera Gown | c. 1885

    Perfection. 

    Indeed! Would you mind telling me where is this housed?


  • #1880s      #1885 the greatest year      #19th century      #extant      #victorian      #bustle dress      




    August 13, 2010

    2 years ago





  • Afternoon dress, 1880


As you may have noticed from the recent lack of posts, I think I have lost much of my interest in blogging. I decided to learn how to sew and hopefully I will sometime in the future be able to create sartorial gems and not just stare in awe at them. I am currently trying to find something which could make me excited about coming back to this blog. You will all notice if that happens. Until then, the frequency of posts is most likely to steadily decrease. I will not delete whattheywore so everyone can still enjoy the archive if they want. A big thanks for each one of the followers! <3

    Afternoon dress, 1880

    As you may have noticed from the recent lack of posts, I think I have lost much of my interest in blogging. I decided to learn how to sew and hopefully I will sometime in the future be able to create sartorial gems and not just stare in awe at them. I am currently trying to find something which could make me excited about coming back to this blog. You will all notice if that happens. Until then, the frequency of posts is most likely to steadily decrease. I will not delete whattheywore so everyone can still enjoy the archive if they want. A big thanks for each one of the followers! <3


  • #19th century      #extant      #1880s      #bustle dress      




    August 9, 2010

    2 years ago





  • Stockings, 1880-1890

    Stockings, 1880-1890


  • #19th century      #1880s      #extant      #accessory      




    2 years ago





  • The Ball by James Tissot, 1880

    The Ball by James Tissot, 1880


  • #1880s      #19th century      #lace      #painting      #princess line      #victorian      




    July 20, 2010

    2 years ago





  • If it weren&#8217;t for the bustle, this wedding dress from the 1880s could be considered a &#8220;princess line&#8221; dress. Somebody requested this kind of dresses the other day but I&#8217;m actually having a hard time finding extant examples of those.

    If it weren’t for the bustle, this wedding dress from the 1880s could be considered a “princess line” dress. Somebody requested this kind of dresses the other day but I’m actually having a hard time finding extant examples of those.


  • #1880s      #19th century      #bustle dress      #extant      #lace      #princess line      #wedding dress      #victorian      




    2 years ago





  • Reception &#8220;princess line&#8221; dress made from linen, organdy and Valenciennes lace, 1880.
(Kyoto Costume Institute)

    Reception “princess line” dress made from linen, organdy and Valenciennes lace, 1880.

    (Kyoto Costume Institute)


  • #1880s      #19th century      #evening gown      #extant      #princess line      #victorian      




    2 years ago





  • Ball gown, c.1880

    Ball gown, c.1880


  • #19th century      #extant      #ball gown      #victorian      #1880s      




    July 18, 2010

    2 years ago





  • Velvet dress, 1886

    Velvet dress, 1886


  • #19th century      #victorian      #1880s      #bustle dress      #extant      #1885 the greatest year      




    July 4, 2010

    2 years ago





  • I&#8217;m not American&#8230; but I suppose many of you are. Happy 4th July!
Stars and stripes dress with tiny American flags from between 1880 and 1882.

    I’m not American… but I suppose many of you are. Happy 4th July!

    Stars and stripes dress with tiny American flags from between 1880 and 1882.


  • #19th century      #extant      #1880s      




    2 years ago





  • Ladies, look at what our great-grandmothers wore at home in 1886. This makes me ashamed of my lousy t-shirt.

    Ladies, look at what our great-grandmothers wore at home in 1886. This makes me ashamed of my lousy t-shirt.


  • #19th century      #victorian      #1880s      #loungewear      #extant      




    2 years ago





  • defunctfashion:

Dress | c. 1889 | Paris

This dress from between 1889 and 1892 is insane! I was just about to post it. I will add a few more pictures though.
View from the back:

A close-up of the incredible details on the front:

    defunctfashion:

    Dress | c. 1889 | Paris

    This dress from between 1889 and 1892 is insane! I was just about to post it. I will add a few more pictures though.

    View from the back:

    A close-up of the incredible details on the front:


  • #1880s      #1890s      #19th century      #extant      #lace      #victorian      #evening gown      




    July 3, 2010

    2 years ago





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