Isabelle's Colonial Polonaise Gown

This colonial polonaise gown was created by CountryHandmaiden.

I made the hat from burgundy ribbon, lace, and and dried hydrangeas.



  

My Favorite 18th Century Fashion Designers

Dollies' Dressmaker
http://www.dolliesdressmaker.com
I love Cindy's unique designs, such as her sacque-back and caraco gowns, because they look like they were inspired by Janet Arnold, who had created a pattern book based on real 18th century English gowns. Her pretty and sturdy panniers are also sold at reasonable prices and give the gown historically accurate shapes. She also reproduces dresses that you might see in the American Girl book illustrations, such as Felicity's brown church gown.

Heirloom Doll Designs (Sdls275)
http://myworld.ebay.com/sdls275/
I've seen her 18th century gowns go for as high as $300. They look like exact replicas of museum pieces, replete with decorated flat straw hats and multiple stomachers. 


Doll Clothes of Yore
http://www.yoreclothes.com/
I appreciate Emily's designs because she attempts to use serpentine shapes and ruffles that were popular in the 18th century. She also is willing to experiment with draping, and has created lovely polonaise-style gowns.

Terri's Touch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/terristouch
Terri's gowns are simple, elegant, and always well-made. She also makes caraco style gowns.


Dollies' Dressmaker Sacque-back gown.


Dollies' Dressmaker Caraco jacket.


Doll Clothes of Yore


Heirloom Doll Designs (Sdls275)


Terri's Touch

18th Century Saque Back Gown

18th Century Saque Back Gown by Dollies' Dressmaker.

Sorry I've been remiss about posting. We've been going through dozens of wedding photographers and we've finally found one we really love.


More information about the 18th century saque back gown:
http://mantuamaker.tumblr.com/tagged/saque_back
http://www.cfa.ilstu.edu/lmlowel/the331/rococo/womenreview.htm





Matching earrings!

Blue and Black Duchess Inspired Gown

The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley, followed the life of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, who was a fashion trend setter in the 18th century.

This blue and black gown was one of my favorites from the movie.






Though the styling of this Terristouch caraco gown is different from the Duchess costume, it has a similar color scheme.

Blue Colonial Summer Gown

This blue colonial gown by Terristouch is in the style of American Girl's white plantation gown, which was a popular style for little girls. The dress includes growth tucks.

Burgundy Revolutionary Brocade Gown

Brocade are richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and can come with or without gold and silver threads.

This burgundy brocade gown was made by Doll Clothes of Yore.

Tête-à-Tête or Courting Chairs

In the 18th and 19th centuries, young courting couples would sit in chairs that allowed them to face each other, but keep a high level of propriety. These chairs were called tête-à-tête chairs, courting chairs, or kissing parlors.







Fancy Version:
http://www.rubylane.com/shop/piatik/item/PS11-05-04-03


I came across this one on Ebay and snatched it up immediately. It's quite rare!