It is very common for people to consider the robe à la polonaise to be a gown made in the same way as the robe à l'anglaise, but with the skirt pulled up through rings arranged on either side of the center back.  This can be seen in costuming websites and respected museums alike. However, … Continue reading The Robe à la Polonaise, or Polonese

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, women all over Europe wore the mantua (which itself had originated in negligée dress).  This was a fairly unstructured dress made in a T-shape, with most of the fitting of the bodice and sleeves achieved with pleats.  The front of the stays would be covered with a pinned- … Continue reading The Robe à l'Anglaise