When Regency fashionista Lord Byron was invited to visit Topkapi Palace in 1810, the Ottoman Turks refused to recognize his peerage and, as a non-diplomat, he was ranked behind everyone else. In ho…

Turbans are wonderful things. They are good for day wear and evening wear, they allow for a variety of hairstyles, and your options for decoration and embellishment are endless. Turbans are the salvation for short-haired ladies, who need only style and curl the hair around their face (comb forward like a man’s hair, or curl into ringlets) and then add your turban to cover the back. It is also a very elegant, patrician sort of look. I recommend that you use silk or silk-like fabrics for your turban. Try to stick to natural, not-too-shiny or slinky synthetic fabrics (that should be a rule of thumb with pretty much ALL historic costume creation; synthetics may look pretty at the store, but once their sewn, they kind of get ugly; especially when photographed). Anyway, I digress… I have put together a little set of basic instructions on how to create a turban in three general styles; and using these construction methods, your options are limitless. I’ve given each style its own moniker (these are not official, these are my own titles). 1. The wrapped turban. 2. There is the cap turban (it’s more of a soft hat than a turban). 3. There is the rope turban (which is a form of the wrapped turban). Creating each one of these individually requires some different approaches. 1. The wrapped turban. One can easily wrap a turban on the head each time you want to wear it, and when you take it off, it will unravel into the long rectangle of fabric each time. I have an example of a wrapped turban below where the tail of the turban falls from the knot. It’s a simple design that can be used with a nice long rectangle of fabric. It’s a turban that would work nicely with a casual day dress or walking dress, and would be very nice if the ends of the turban are embellished with a fringe or teeny tassels. The one pictured above is a single wide wrap, but you can go with a longer, narrower piece of fabric and wrap it around multiple times while occasionally twisting the fabric, and then knotting or tucking if need be. (Update: 11/2011) Miss Lauren Reeser aka 'The American Duchess' has provided a wonderful video on how to do a simple wrapped turban using a scarf or any kind of fabric. You can view the video here: In order to create a wrapped turban that doesn’t require constant rebuilding, you can wrap one and then fix it in place. Carefully wrap your turban around a head form, arranging and ruching (bunching) the fabric to your linking. As you go along, tack-stitch it in place—creating a hat shape as you go. That way you can just put it on and take it off with little worry of it unraveling on you. A great advantage of doing it as a stitched, permanent headpiece is that you can add tassels, lace in strings of beads, ribbons and whatnot as you stitch it down, to give it interest and dimension. It’s the simplest of projects, and it makes for a very attractive turban. You can also add a medallion with either game-bird feathers arcing across the front for a day-wear turban, or you can add a big froofy ostrich feather across the front, side or coming up from the back for evening. See the links provided below for fashion-plate examples from that time period. 2. The cap turban (also known as a capote or beret). This turban is a sewed fabric hat, however the mushroomed fabric makes it very turban like and it also has the same versatility as day and evening wear depending on embellishments and fabric choices. You start with a large circle. As with most first-time sewing projects, I recommend you create some cheap muslin mock-ups that when successful, can have the baste-stitches removed and used as a pattern later. Joanne Fabrics pretty much always has very cheap muslin ($2 - $3 a yard)… it’s good to always have some on hand for projects like these. (click image to enlarge) The diameter of your circle depends on how ‘fluffy’ you want your capote… I’d say, and this is just a wild guess, start with 20”. You can always trim the bottom edge down once you’ve done your gathering if it’s too poofy. Sew a wide baste stitch all around the edge, and then when you’ve sewn the circuit, clip your thread, and start again slightly above the first set of stitches. Try and match the stitches below, and go around again parallel to the first set of stitches. Then you will gently pull your threads on one side and gather up your edges of the circle. You can then affix the gather once you get that desired circumference with a nice tight stitch all around the edge with your sewing machine (or by hand if you’re a purist). You will then create a band. Cut it twice as wide as your desired width, and then fold, sew the long edge closed, turn inside out, and iron flat. You now have an inner surface to which you can stitch your capote without revealing the stitches on the facing side. There you have it. The addition of tassels, feathers and medallions, whatever you like will make it work very nicely. 3. The rope turban (click image to enlarge) This turban can stand alone, or serve as an enhancement for the above turbans. The premise is to take two (or even three) fabrics, or perhaps fabric and a string of beads or ribbon, and to twist-fold them into a rope (or plait them as well). You can create a circlet or open-topped turban so your updo can cascade out the top, or you can make one or two and sew it to a closed-top turban (as seen in my drawings below). It’s a simple style, you can either hide the ends by sewing them together, or let the long end drape down the back or the side onto the shoulder. Making two or three of the ropes and stacking them on top of a capote is also a fine option, and don’t forget to use embellishments. Beads, tassels, ribbon, trim, medallions and feathers are all acceptable decorations for your Regency turban. I recommend you check out the links provided below. You will see for yourself how elaborate these turbans can seem but really how simple they are to make. Let the images inspire your own project. Happy turban-making! Sometimes a loose, narrow, long bandeau with beads wrapped around it also works very nicely for evening wear... it's sort of a turban, so I thought I'd throw this drawing in. :) Some inspiration: http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb.html http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb2.html http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb3.html

I actually sewed! I've had this Sari sitting in my stash for a while, and I had a ton of (non-period) pale pink dupioni I got when the Joan...

Explore Jejune Ennui's 2552 photos on Flickr!

Turbans are wonderful things. They are good for day wear and evening wear, they allow for a variety of hairstyles, and your options for decoration and embellishment are endless. Turbans are the salvation for short-haired ladies, who need only style and curl the hair around their face (comb forward like a man’s hair, or curl into ringlets) and then add your turban to cover the back. It is also a very elegant, patrician sort of look. I recommend that you use silk or silk-like fabrics for your turban. Try to stick to natural, not-too-shiny or slinky synthetic fabrics (that should be a rule of thumb with pretty much ALL historic costume creation; synthetics may look pretty at the store, but once their sewn, they kind of get ugly; especially when photographed). Anyway, I digress… I have put together a little set of basic instructions on how to create a turban in three general styles; and using these construction methods, your options are limitless. I’ve given each style its own moniker (these are not official, these are my own titles). 1. The wrapped turban. 2. There is the cap turban (it’s more of a soft hat than a turban). 3. There is the rope turban (which is a form of the wrapped turban). Creating each one of these individually requires some different approaches. 1. The wrapped turban. One can easily wrap a turban on the head each time you want to wear it, and when you take it off, it will unravel into the long rectangle of fabric each time. I have an example of a wrapped turban below where the tail of the turban falls from the knot. It’s a simple design that can be used with a nice long rectangle of fabric. It’s a turban that would work nicely with a casual day dress or walking dress, and would be very nice if the ends of the turban are embellished with a fringe or teeny tassels. The one pictured above is a single wide wrap, but you can go with a longer, narrower piece of fabric and wrap it around multiple times while occasionally twisting the fabric, and then knotting or tucking if need be. (Update: 11/2011) Miss Lauren Reeser aka 'The American Duchess' has provided a wonderful video on how to do a simple wrapped turban using a scarf or any kind of fabric. You can view the video here: In order to create a wrapped turban that doesn’t require constant rebuilding, you can wrap one and then fix it in place. Carefully wrap your turban around a head form, arranging and ruching (bunching) the fabric to your linking. As you go along, tack-stitch it in place—creating a hat shape as you go. That way you can just put it on and take it off with little worry of it unraveling on you. A great advantage of doing it as a stitched, permanent headpiece is that you can add tassels, lace in strings of beads, ribbons and whatnot as you stitch it down, to give it interest and dimension. It’s the simplest of projects, and it makes for a very attractive turban. You can also add a medallion with either game-bird feathers arcing across the front for a day-wear turban, or you can add a big froofy ostrich feather across the front, side or coming up from the back for evening. See the links provided below for fashion-plate examples from that time period. 2. The cap turban (also known as a capote or beret). This turban is a sewed fabric hat, however the mushroomed fabric makes it very turban like and it also has the same versatility as day and evening wear depending on embellishments and fabric choices. You start with a large circle. As with most first-time sewing projects, I recommend you create some cheap muslin mock-ups that when successful, can have the baste-stitches removed and used as a pattern later. Joanne Fabrics pretty much always has very cheap muslin ($2 - $3 a yard)… it’s good to always have some on hand for projects like these. (click image to enlarge) The diameter of your circle depends on how ‘fluffy’ you want your capote… I’d say, and this is just a wild guess, start with 20”. You can always trim the bottom edge down once you’ve done your gathering if it’s too poofy. Sew a wide baste stitch all around the edge, and then when you’ve sewn the circuit, clip your thread, and start again slightly above the first set of stitches. Try and match the stitches below, and go around again parallel to the first set of stitches. Then you will gently pull your threads on one side and gather up your edges of the circle. You can then affix the gather once you get that desired circumference with a nice tight stitch all around the edge with your sewing machine (or by hand if you’re a purist). You will then create a band. Cut it twice as wide as your desired width, and then fold, sew the long edge closed, turn inside out, and iron flat. You now have an inner surface to which you can stitch your capote without revealing the stitches on the facing side. There you have it. The addition of tassels, feathers and medallions, whatever you like will make it work very nicely. 3. The rope turban (click image to enlarge) This turban can stand alone, or serve as an enhancement for the above turbans. The premise is to take two (or even three) fabrics, or perhaps fabric and a string of beads or ribbon, and to twist-fold them into a rope (or plait them as well). You can create a circlet or open-topped turban so your updo can cascade out the top, or you can make one or two and sew it to a closed-top turban (as seen in my drawings below). It’s a simple style, you can either hide the ends by sewing them together, or let the long end drape down the back or the side onto the shoulder. Making two or three of the ropes and stacking them on top of a capote is also a fine option, and don’t forget to use embellishments. Beads, tassels, ribbon, trim, medallions and feathers are all acceptable decorations for your Regency turban. I recommend you check out the links provided below. You will see for yourself how elaborate these turbans can seem but really how simple they are to make. Let the images inspire your own project. Happy turban-making! Sometimes a loose, narrow, long bandeau with beads wrapped around it also works very nicely for evening wear... it's sort of a turban, so I thought I'd throw this drawing in. :) Some inspiration: http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb.html http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb2.html http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb3.html

You know those mysterious costuming mysteries that sometimes plague us? How to tie a turban is one of them. If you are practically hair-less like me, a quick and easy head-wrap is the perfect way to finish off a Regency gown, day or evening, and hide

A little while back I was leafing through a book by the Gemeentemuseum in the Hague, ‘Romantische Mode’, which accompanied their exhibition on 19th century fashion a while back. And I s…

English fashion plates from 1801, and French fashion plates from Year 9 (1800-1801) of the French Republican Calendar. All images come from the collection of the Bibliothèque des Arts Décoratifs. www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/francais/bibliotheque/ PLEASE ATTRIBUTE THESE IMAGES TO THE BIBLIOTHÈQUE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS. At a minimum, please link back to this Flickr set.

Use the following pattern and links to create your own Regency styled masterpiece.

Turbans are wonderful things. They are good for day wear and evening wear, they allow for a variety of hairstyles, and your options for decoration and embellishment are endless. Turbans are the salvation for short-haired ladies, who need only style and curl the hair around their face (comb forward like a man’s hair, or curl into ringlets) and then add your turban to cover the back. It is also a very elegant, patrician sort of look. I recommend that you use silk or silk-like fabrics for your turban. Try to stick to natural, not-too-shiny or slinky synthetic fabrics (that should be a rule of thumb with pretty much ALL historic costume creation; synthetics may look pretty at the store, but once their sewn, they kind of get ugly; especially when photographed). Anyway, I digress… I have put together a little set of basic instructions on how to create a turban in three general styles; and using these construction methods, your options are limitless. I’ve given each style its own moniker (these are not official, these are my own titles). 1. The wrapped turban. 2. There is the cap turban (it’s more of a soft hat than a turban). 3. There is the rope turban (which is a form of the wrapped turban). Creating each one of these individually requires some different approaches. 1. The wrapped turban. One can easily wrap a turban on the head each time you want to wear it, and when you take it off, it will unravel into the long rectangle of fabric each time. I have an example of a wrapped turban below where the tail of the turban falls from the knot. It’s a simple design that can be used with a nice long rectangle of fabric. It’s a turban that would work nicely with a casual day dress or walking dress, and would be very nice if the ends of the turban are embellished with a fringe or teeny tassels. The one pictured above is a single wide wrap, but you can go with a longer, narrower piece of fabric and wrap it around multiple times while occasionally twisting the fabric, and then knotting or tucking if need be. (Update: 11/2011) Miss Lauren Reeser aka 'The American Duchess' has provided a wonderful video on how to do a simple wrapped turban using a scarf or any kind of fabric. You can view the video here: In order to create a wrapped turban that doesn’t require constant rebuilding, you can wrap one and then fix it in place. Carefully wrap your turban around a head form, arranging and ruching (bunching) the fabric to your linking. As you go along, tack-stitch it in place—creating a hat shape as you go. That way you can just put it on and take it off with little worry of it unraveling on you. A great advantage of doing it as a stitched, permanent headpiece is that you can add tassels, lace in strings of beads, ribbons and whatnot as you stitch it down, to give it interest and dimension. It’s the simplest of projects, and it makes for a very attractive turban. You can also add a medallion with either game-bird feathers arcing across the front for a day-wear turban, or you can add a big froofy ostrich feather across the front, side or coming up from the back for evening. See the links provided below for fashion-plate examples from that time period. 2. The cap turban (also known as a capote or beret). This turban is a sewed fabric hat, however the mushroomed fabric makes it very turban like and it also has the same versatility as day and evening wear depending on embellishments and fabric choices. You start with a large circle. As with most first-time sewing projects, I recommend you create some cheap muslin mock-ups that when successful, can have the baste-stitches removed and used as a pattern later. Joanne Fabrics pretty much always has very cheap muslin ($2 - $3 a yard)… it’s good to always have some on hand for projects like these. (click image to enlarge) The diameter of your circle depends on how ‘fluffy’ you want your capote… I’d say, and this is just a wild guess, start with 20”. You can always trim the bottom edge down once you’ve done your gathering if it’s too poofy. Sew a wide baste stitch all around the edge, and then when you’ve sewn the circuit, clip your thread, and start again slightly above the first set of stitches. Try and match the stitches below, and go around again parallel to the first set of stitches. Then you will gently pull your threads on one side and gather up your edges of the circle. You can then affix the gather once you get that desired circumference with a nice tight stitch all around the edge with your sewing machine (or by hand if you’re a purist). You will then create a band. Cut it twice as wide as your desired width, and then fold, sew the long edge closed, turn inside out, and iron flat. You now have an inner surface to which you can stitch your capote without revealing the stitches on the facing side. There you have it. The addition of tassels, feathers and medallions, whatever you like will make it work very nicely. 3. The rope turban (click image to enlarge) This turban can stand alone, or serve as an enhancement for the above turbans. The premise is to take two (or even three) fabrics, or perhaps fabric and a string of beads or ribbon, and to twist-fold them into a rope (or plait them as well). You can create a circlet or open-topped turban so your updo can cascade out the top, or you can make one or two and sew it to a closed-top turban (as seen in my drawings below). It’s a simple style, you can either hide the ends by sewing them together, or let the long end drape down the back or the side onto the shoulder. Making two or three of the ropes and stacking them on top of a capote is also a fine option, and don’t forget to use embellishments. Beads, tassels, ribbon, trim, medallions and feathers are all acceptable decorations for your Regency turban. I recommend you check out the links provided below. You will see for yourself how elaborate these turbans can seem but really how simple they are to make. Let the images inspire your own project. Happy turban-making! Sometimes a loose, narrow, long bandeau with beads wrapped around it also works very nicely for evening wear... it's sort of a turban, so I thought I'd throw this drawing in. :) Some inspiration: http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb.html http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb2.html http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/dress/turb3.html

When thinking of the fashions between 1788 and 1820, the obvious characteristics seem to be a high waist-line, as slim skirt and puff-sleeves. There’s a lot more variation in sleeve styles th…

Illustration from Modes et Manieres Du Jour, 1798 – 1808 I have changed my mind, & changed the trimmings on my Cap this morning, they are now much as you suggested, – I felt as if I…

A little while ago I did a post meant as an introduction to my love of tartan. Originally that plaid obsession was supposed to stay in the 1860s, where Queen Victoria put it (a post on that later!), but it has bled into just about every period I do. Oops. As lately I've been all about building a Regency wardrobe, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I jumped at the chance to make Regency tartan. In particular, I am in love with these two fashion plates: Feb. 1801 Paris fashions after Waterloo, 1815. Please excuse the blur--I scanned this from the book The Costume of Scotland, by John Dunbar They are both of a similar style, although from 14 years apart: the actual plaid part is an overdress with no sleeves and a "v" neckline. Overall I like the second plate better (and it's within my target range of 1810-1815 for Regency sewing), because I am fond of chemisettes, but the hat from the first image really does it for me. If I end up buying a light wool plaid to make something like this, I will aim for enough fabric for an overdress and hat, which I can then mix and match. But was tartan really popular during the 18-teens? or are these images unique? As I discussed here and here, the wearing of Highland dress was banned after the Jacobite uprising (the Act of Proscription, 1747, can be read in full here). The act was officially repealed in 1782, but for at least two or three decades before that the enforcement of the law had dropped off. In fact, even before the repeal the Highland Society of London was founded in 1778, which strove to preserve the art of tartan weaving as well as preserve the already dwindling Gaelic language and culture of the Scottish highlands. The society also maintained a philanthropic branch which aided expatriots and worked to promote economic and agricultural growth in the highlands. The society was instrumental in the repeal of the Dress Act, and was the first group to collect tartan patterns specifically from the clans, which they kept in The Collection of Certified Tartans--the beginnings of the modern governmental board. Diploma of the Highland Society of London, designed by Benjamin West 1805 In the 1750s tartan was also re-adopted into military uniforms. The Scottish Highlands were a popular area for recruitment during the earlier Seven Years' War as a way of combating remaining negative feelings towards the British crown and because Highland men were tough. As a way to encourage recruitment, these regiments wore a militarized version of highland dress (allowed by the Act of Proscription due to an exception for military use). During the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century, these Highland regiments played a large role and were well-known by their tartan uniforms, which had developed into a standardized set by 1812. Illustration of Grenadiers from the 42nd and 92nd Highlanders during Waterloo, 1812 "Mac Mhic Alasdair," by Henry Raeburn, 1812. Portrait of Colonel Alasdair MacDonnell of Glengarry, wearing a fabulous ensemble meant to show his heritage as leader of Gaelic society These uniforms were similar to more traditional British military dress in that the color of facings and jacket details varied based on the regiment. The standardized kilt was of the "'Government Pattern,' a dark tartan of green, blue, and black in which distinguishing lines of red, white and yellow were added for different regiments" (Tartan by Hugh Cheape, p44). This tartan was adopted into women's fashion during the period as well; wearing military-inspired items was a common occurrence during the regency, and there are many other examples of this besides the wearing of tartan. a cartoon portrait by John Kay, in which the ladies are wearing feminized versions of the West Lowland Fencibles uniform, 1795 (courtesy of the British Museum) While there are several tartans in the modern Register of Tartans dated to this period, they share some traits: they tend to be dark-colored, with mostly blue and green--similar to the tartans in standard military dress for the Highland regiments. Registered tartan of the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment, as recorded 1819 Black Watch tartan, originally dated 1725 Sir Etienne Tache, date unkown. Noted that the owner fought in the War of 1812 tartan of the 42nd Highlanders, dated 1797 This is just an assortment of the ones I like--you can find all of them in the Register of Tartans, and several more of my selections on my Pinterest board. But did women really wear tartan? We know from the 1801 fashion plate that plaid was present to some degree in women's fashion, and certainly tartan was quite popular by 1815. fashion plate 1814, plaid shawl and plaid ribbon-trimmed bonnet tartan-themed opera dress (and hat!) in Ackerman's Repository, 1814 Day dresses for June, 1802. The one on the right is plaid! "Portrait of a Lady, Half-Length, in a Plumed Dress and a Tartan Shawl" by Sir Henry Raeburn, c. 1756-1823 tartan walking dress, 1811 So the final verdict? Yes, women wore plaid--and even tartan--in the 18-teens. There are enough examples (not all of which are collected here, obviously) to justify a tartan ensemble, especially if you are British, or hanging out with a British reenacting regiment at your next 1812 event. Too bad all the guys I know are going American with their uniforms...boo. For those on the other side? A tartan ribbon at the waist, on a hat (or a tartan bonnet!), or a piece of outerwear (shawl, spencer) are perfectly acceptable. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for navy blue/hunter green-based tartans at the fabric store... Sources! Scottish Register of Tartans (see the link above) Costume of Scotland, by John Dunbar (1981) Tartan, by Hugh Cheape (1995) The National Museum of Scotland The British Museum

Столь нелюбимый Линдой силуэт появился в послереволюционной Франции (1790-е гг) и изначально его можно было описать следующим образом: "тонкое муслиновое или батистовое светлое платье без отделки и украшений, надевается на трико или на обнаженное тело. Высокая линия талии определяет соотношение…

Hey all. I'm back with more Regency Fashions from Ackermann's Repository! I know these ladies look so prim and proper in their lovely Regency attire; but I can't help but wonder how many of Regency ladies were a bit wicked and wild beneath all the ruffles and lace. At least they are in most of the romances I like to read (wink). I had the opportunity to read a new author this week that put me in mind of the Ackermann's writing style and these oh so properly attired genteel ladies of the Regency era; and how they just might go astray if presented with the right temptation. Larissa Lyons was gracious enough to send me a copy of a few of her books and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them; especially, her racy Regency romance titled "Lady Scandal". I could almost imagine this frisky romance had been written in Regency times and would have been one of "those" naughty novels that ladies of the time were not suppose to read. The type of scandalous novel that would cause young ladies to remove it from their roguish brother's rooms; to read and share with a close friend - just so they could see what all the fuss was about and in hopes of gaining a bit of information that no one else would give them regarding men and their "goods". (Guilty - I would have been one of those girls, I'm just too curious for my own good some times). Thanks Larissa, this was a fun read!!! If Historical Romance is not your thing, I can vouch for her contemporary Good Girl gets reformed Bad Boy short story "No Guts - No 'Gasms" - It's a Hot and Spicy "Quickie" for those who like their super sexy reads to be modern and edgy. As they say different strokes for different folks; personally if it's hot, racy and romance - I love it. ****************** Now for the real Regency ladies of Ackermann's 1816 kicked off Ackermann's 2nd series of the popular Regency magazine that lasted from January of 1816 till December of 1822 with a total of 14 volumes. There were some structural changes in the magazine as it evolved between the 1st and the 2nd series; but the Fashion plates were a staple of Ackermann's Repository through out the entire 20 years of publication. This is my top pick of the 1816 Fashions A bit about Ackermann's Ackermann's Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufacturers, Fashion and Politics. Yes, that was its full title; but it was commonly known as Ackermann's or Ackermann's Repository when spoken about to keep thing simple. Ackermann's was a popular monthly magazine in England from 1809 - 1829 (The 1829 issues were printed as "Ackermann's Repository of Fashion".) that listed a wide variety of current subject matters to entertain the masses of Regency England. There were political commentaries, poetry, short stories, current events, special exhibit information, stock and commerce reports and other interesting tidbits in its pages. Each issue also contained wonderful color illustrations showing fashions, home decor, public places of interest, architecture and a variety of items that would be of interest to their readers. My favorites are the Fashion Plates and there were usually 2 in each monthly issue. During the twenty year run of this monthly publication, Ackermann's made specially bound volumes available for those who were collecting the issues. These "bound" book versions consisted of a 2 volume set for each year it was published. There were a total of 3 series in that 20 year period. Series 1 began in Jan 1809 and ended with the Dec issue in 1815. Series 2 began in Jan 1816 and ended with the Dec issue in 1822. Series 3 began in Jan 1823 and ended with the final issue in Dec 1828 I've already posted all the Fashion plates from Series 1 in previous posts (they were all posted in July 2011) Ackermann's Series 2 Series 2 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1816 Series 2 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1817 Series 2 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1818 Series 2 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1819 Series 2 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1820 Series 2 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1821 Series 2 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1822 Today I am starting Series 2 by posting the fashion plates for the year 1816. Series 2 Vol 1 was Jan - June 1816 Series 2 Vol 2 was July - Dec 1816 Enjoy! Ackermann's Repository 1816 Fashion Plates 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - January Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - January Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - February Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - February Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - March Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - March Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - April Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - April Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - May Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - May Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - June Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 1 - June Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - July Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - July Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - August Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - August Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - September Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - September Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - October Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - October Issue 1816 - Ackermann's 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - November Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - December Issue 1816 - Ackermann's Repository Series2 Vol 2 - December Issue Ackermann's had so much success with the fashion plates in Series 1 that with series two they launched a much larger section devoted to fashion in the writings for the publication. Instead of giving just descriptions for each fashion plate listed they then gave current fashion trends for England and with the end of the Napoleonic wars with France on occasion French fashion trends were given as well. I thought it would be fun to include a bit of what it was like to read about what the fashion trends so you can see those below. This was the Fashion Section from the January Issue - 1816 It starts toward the bottom of page 57 with London Fashion then continues on with French Fashions; till it ends mid way on page 62 where the poetry section for the month begins. ********** I was most curious as to why all the fashion plates in Ackermann's referenced each as a "dress" rather than as a "gown". Some of my research showed that during this time period the word "gown" was a more intimate piece of apparel such as a dressing gown and would not have been widely used to refer to an elaborate evening dress until later in the Victorian age. So I accepted this as a viable possibility for why these plates were titled the way they were; especially since in the description of each plate, the dresses were also called dresses or frocks and very, very rarely listed as a gown. Then In Jan 2012, I received an informative comment from a viewer of my posts (see below in the comments section) stating that the naming on the plates such as Evening Dress or Ball Dress most likely referred to the entire ensemble rather than the main article of clothing being displayed. I have to concur that this seems the most appropriate explanation for the titles on each fashion plate. The Regency period had a fairly strict code of dress for each and every occasion therefore each plate would have depicted the correct form of "dress" for each occasion being represented such as how one would "dress" to attend the Opera or a Ball. Going forward whenever I see an antique fashion print I will mentally associate the word "dress" with the entire ensemble and for which occasion it would have been worn, just as a Regency lady would have done during that time period. It's so easy to think bluntly as we do in modern times and forget to read between the lines as they would have done in anther time. Thanks Adela for the bringing this to my attention. It puts a whole new spin on these plates for me now. ******************** I hope you have enjoyed this bit of time-travel back into 1816 Regency England. Till next time Thanks for visiting me here at EKDuncan.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed seeing these images from Ackermann's Repository and would like the opportunity to see and read an original for yourself they are are available on line at www.archive.org Click HERE then choose the volume you are interested in. You can then see and read them online or download them to your computer for future reference. Enjoy!

I was at a convention in one of my Regency gowns, and someone asked, “What did black people wear?” The answer is that the clothing expressed a wide range of styles depending on a person’s station a…

This image of a bourdaloue might be somewhat confusing to the uninitiated. Could this small and elegant vessel be a gravy boat? Or a blood-letting container? This image by Francois Boucher says it …

I'm a big fan of Regency Romances; so naturally I have a thing for the fashions of this time period and was thrill to discover these 200 year old prints from the English publication Ackermann's Repository. I love the fact that I now have these great images as reference when I'm reading one of my novels. Now if I wonder what a half dress, morning dress or carriage costume looked like; I have these wonderful prints to give me a visual reference. I'm so thrilled with these images that I even changed my blog background here and on my other "My Fanciful Muse" blog using some of the fashion figures from Ackermann's pages. I'm already starting to create fun digital art using some of my favorites, so take a peek over on my "Muse" blog - for the grins and giggles of it. This is my favorite fashion plate from the 1813 Ackermann's Repository issue Description of plate 46 is for the Ball Dress shown above This is my 5th installment of fashion plates from Ackermann's Repository - Regency era magazine. Ackermann's Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufacturers, Fashion and Politics. was a popular publications in England from 1809-1829. (The 1829 issues were printed as "Ackermann's Repository of Fashion".) I have found the articles and illustrations to be a fascinating glimpse into that time period. One of my favorite ongoing series in the magazine are the fashion plates. Each monthly issue usually included 2 Fashion plates, giving on average a total of 24 Fashion plates for the year. Though the magazine was published monthly; specially bound volumes were available from Ackermann's. These "bound" book versions, consisted of a 2 volume set for each year it was in publication. Ackermann's Repository "Bound" Series 1 ran from 1809 - 1815 with a total of 14 Volumes for Series 1 Series 1 Vol 1 was Jan - June 1809 Series 1 Vol 2 was July - Dec 1809 Series 1 Vol 3 was Jan - June 1810 Series 1 Vol 4 was July - Dec 1810 Series 1 Vol 5 was Jan - June 1811 Series 1 Vol 6 was July - Dec 1811 Series 1 Vol 7 was Jan - June 1812 Series 1 Vol 8 was July - Dec 1812 Series 1 Vol 9 was Jan - June 1813 Series 1 Vol 10 was July - Dec 1813 Series 1 Vol 11 was Jan - June 1814 Series 1 Vol 12 was July - Dec 1814 Series 1 Vol 13 was Jan - June 1815 Series 1 Vol 14 was July - Dec 1815 Today I will be posting the fashion plates for the year 1813. Series 1 Vol 9 was Jan - June 1813 Series 1 Vol 10 was July - Dec 1813 I hope you enjoy! Ackermann's Repository 1813 Fashion Plates 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - January Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - January Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - February Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - February Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - March Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - March Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - April Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - April Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - May Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - May Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - June Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 9 - June Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - July Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - July Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - August Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - August Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - September Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - September Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - October Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - October Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - November Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - November Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - December Issue 1813 - Ackermann's Repository Series1 Vol 10 - December Issue I hope you have enjoyed seeing another 24 ladies in high Regency fashion. I find it mind boggling that women dressed this way every day of their lives and how very different life was 200 years ago. In our hustle-bustle lives we make due with "off the rack" this and that and if we are luck it fits us and looks good. Back in the Regency time clothing was custom made to fit a person. You picked a style, color, fabric and trims to suit you and if you wanted this or that changed on the main style, that would be done too. Everything you would wear would be custom made to fit you perfectly; underwear, clothing, shoes, hats, reticules, hair accessories and even jewelry. This is the original 1813 Ball Dress So, if I were a lady of means in 1813 England and choosing a new garment at my favorite dressmakers establishment - I would choose this amazing ball gown. I know white was a popular dress color in this time period; however, I'm a girl who likes color - so I would request a color change. Here is the dress in a tranquil aqua Here is the dress in a nice soft blue Here is the dress in a pretty lilac I do enjoy playing with colors in Photoshop. It's fun to see how the look of a dress changes based on a different color or shade. Join me again next time when I post the Regency fashions of 1814. Thanks for visiting me here at EKDuncan.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed seeing these images from Ackermann's Repository and would like the opportunity to see and read an original for yourself they are are available on line at www.archive.org Click HERE then choose the volume you are interested in. You can then see and read them online or download them to your computer for future reference. Enjoy!

English fashion plates from 1801, and French fashion plates from Year 9 (1800-1801) of the French Republican Calendar. All images come from the collection of the Bibliothèque des Arts Décoratifs. www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/francais/bibliotheque/ PLEASE ATTRIBUTE THESE IMAGES TO THE BIBLIOTHÈQUE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS. At a minimum, please link back to this Flickr set.