As Julia Thomas points out in Pictorial Victorians, the satirical cartoons and anecdotes in Punch heavily colored contemporary (and modern) impressions of the fashions of the 1850s and 1860s. As a result, the wide skirts seem like fantastical costumes that played havoc with ordinary life and were impossible to move around in. And so the myths … Continue reading Fashion History Mythbusters: The Cage Crinoline or Hoop Skirt
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A Delphos Dress
"Delphos" dress, Mariano Fortuny, 1910-1930; CHM 1997.68.1 (pattern available at link) Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871-1949) is best remembered for two things: vibrantly patterned silks and velvets, and the Delphos gown, inspired by ancient Greek chitons (themselves imported from Asia Minor), which were made from a single rectangular panel of linen or silk sewn into … Continue reading A Delphos Dress
On Ball Dress …
Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1813 ... The fashion is for coiffures à la chinoise so high that, even with the longest hair, it is difficult to create them. M. Palette has created false coques* of hair; and, with this accessory, or a part of it, for the coques come apart, one can create the highest … Continue reading On Ball Dress …
The Clothing Project
No substantive post this week - and there won't be one next week, either. Probably you will get one the week after. (I had a great idea for one that I've lost, but I'm sure it will come back to me ... while I'm at work, when I'm holding a pastry bag of frosting instead of … Continue reading The Clothing Project
About Cassidy
Hi! I'm Cassidy Percoco, soon-to-be-published author of Regency Women's Dress (1800-1830). On this blog, you'll find a lot of my original research into fashion and social history. This is what I do for fun, and while I should probably concentrate more on writing papers for conferences, I really just want to share what I learn … Continue reading About Cassidy
Mimic of Modes 