Pink Polonaise or Milkmaid Gown

In the 1770s and 1780s, Enlightenment thinkers waxed philosophical about the virtues of Nature and rustic living. Even Marie Antoinette, yearning for the simpler life, had her own farm where she pranced around in country garb.

Undoubtedly, these new ideals popularized the polonaise style gown, which imitated milkmaids who tucked their skirts up to keep them from dragging in the mud while they did chores. Also known as robe à la Polonaise, the style consisted of a fitted bodice and a three tiered overskirt, draped over a petticoat. The overskirt got its full poufed look usually by ribbon ties or a ring and loop system.

Here's blogger writing about how ladies transitioned from gowns shaped by panniers to the polonaise style.

Contrast the old wide hoop style to the new polonaise (my two photos from the LACMA exhibit):


This must be the widest gown on record...or someone got stuck in the back of the sofa.


Here are real examples from the Met.



Here's my Elizabeth modeling a polonaise gown from Doll Clothes of Yore.

Dollies' Dressmaker Blue Caraco and Petticoat

You can find Dollies' Dressmaker Blue Caraco and Petticoat at her website.

What is the Difference between a Caraco and Other 18th Century Jackets
http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-is-difference-between-caraco-and.html

Analysis of a Caraco Jacket by American Duchess.
http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2010/10/costume-analytics-1770-80-chintz-caraco.html

ThreadsofTroy Civil War Outfit

I managed to snatch ThreadsofTroy's last outfit before she went off on vacation to work on custom orders. Isn't it beautiful? It even has a growth tuck.
Addy is modeling a blue floral dress, perfect for wearing to school. It is made from a reproduction 100% cotton print fabric from Judie Rothermel’s Civil War Dressing Gowns II collection. The bodice portion of the dress is self-lined and features a false front closing with three white buttons stitched in place. The collar and cuffs are made from a crisp white cotton. Matching blue grosgrain ribbon edges the waist of the gathered skirt, which has a generous grow tuck. A perky blue bow accents the neckline at the center of the collar and is stitched in place. The dress closes in the back with Velcro. A matching ribbon to tie in Addy’s braid is included.

ThreadsofTroy White Regency Gown

Glee! Triumph! Maniacal cackling! Finally, the white regency gown I've been wanting for a long time. Yes, I snatched it up from Etsy.

During the 18th century and early 19th century, Europeans had a renewed interest in antiquity. This interest spread into fashion where it became the rage for ladies to dress in gowns reminiscent of Greek goddesses and Roman empresses. Fashionable ladies dressed in gowns that emphasized simplicity and the natural body shape. They often wore white muslin though to show off their high social status; white gowns were difficult to keep clean and wash without many servants.








Ah, look at that classical Roman-Grecian influence. It's as the gown is a miniature of this painting.




Ancient Roman Dress

Little Dorrit and the Grand Tour

The following gown was created by Doll Clothes of Yore.






The costume designer in the 2009 BBC version of Little Dorrit used beautiful costumes from the 1820s and 1830s period. During this period, the fashion was moving away from the plain, straight ancient Roman-inspired gowns, to Romantic "historicism" which had slashed sleeves and many embellishments, reminiscent of the medieval period. By the 1830s, the very fashionable gowns had puffy sleeves and bell shape skirts.

Here's a timeline of gown silhouettes, so you get a better idea of what I'm talking about.
http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~ulrich/presentations/vicfashions/timeline.htm









These styles seem earlier than the ones above--probably 1820s.




Real examples from the 1820s:








Definitely 1830 gown...

Etsy Watch - December to Early February

Pippaloo


Jessica's Historical Designs



Doll Clothes by Evie
Sometimes her Civil War outfits are a little loose; quality is great though.



Neufeldtouch


AlohaGirlDollClothes


AGSeamstress


SewFunDollClothes

Ampmcreations


Cupcakecutiepie

Did Jane Austen write on such a desk?

I bought this bureau from another collector who had drawn up a blueprint and had commissioned a carpenter to carry out the design. The bureau is a low and compact writing desk that has an angled slant-top that opens and closes to reveal compartments used for storing envelopes, letters, and other writing supplies. They were popular in the 19th century, but there were made in the 18th century too. The regency style bureaus were actually very daintier looking than the one I showcase. The bureaus usually had drawers on the lower section, but I guess my Felicity gets to show off her tea set.




The desk has a mirror at the top and a little carving.



You can see what it looks like closed on the right.