hats and laces

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)

Blue silk satin corset, 1880s.

Waist: 49 cm, 19.3 inches.

Kyoto Costume Institute

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!

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

(Mint Museum)

defunctfashion:

Opera Gown | c. 1885

Perfection. 

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

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

Stockings, 1880-1890

The Ball by James Tissot, 1880

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.

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

(Kyoto Costume Institute)

Ball gown, c.1880

Velvet dress, 1886

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.

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

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: