🥀aesthetique🕯️
Thanks for the love for my 1840s ensemble! It means a lot for me to be able to share it with you. Swipe for a mini-dive into the different layers of the look. In almost every instance, I aimed for “historical adequacy,” exploring accurate methods and techniques where appropriate and cutting corners where energy and economy required it:
-closest to the skin, a hand-sewn linen shift. This style is more appropriate for 1750s-1790s than 1840s, and the neckline and hem is totally unfinished (oops). Wore it anyway because linen is a fantastic natural fiber to wear close to the skin, it wasn’t going to mess with the silhouette of the gown, and I really couldn’t be bothered to make another shift when this one was so close to done. This layer also includes long Regency stays from
@redthreaded (I’ve seen a lot of historical costumers cheat 1840s with their Regency stays because of the long, angular lines it gives you) and cotton stockings from Burnley and Trowbridge. And ribbon garters.
- next layer is a bum roll (not pictured) and a corded petticoat. The many lines of cotton cording took hours for me to lay down (by machine), but it was so worth it for the shape and support it gives the outer skirts. Dancing slippers from the totally accurate J Crew 50% off sale.
-example of corded petticoat and sleeve supports from the 1830s (Met Museum)
-another petticoat, this time a mess of an 18th century linen petticoat I made for a picnic this summer. Gave me extra floof that I liked and most folks would have worn 3+ petticoats so I figured, why not?
-last petticoat, made from a repurposed plain cotton kingsize bedsheet.
-finally, the dress, fastened in the back with hooks and eyes.
-accessories really complete the look for me. In this case, flower crown from
@zuzuspetalsbrooklyn , repurposed red ribbon necklace, and a thrifted cameo brooch.
-add some black velvet gloves you’re ready for your victorian postmortem photograph at a grungy LES absinthe bar ⚰️
