Victorian plaid daydress (r) an original, photographed in the 1950's on a model.
The dress is made from green plaid wool we had lying around the house from my husbands kilt wearing days. Well
actually he wore a belted plaid so it was an awfull lot of fabric especially as we bought some extra meters
at the time for me to make a dress from. Pagoda sleeves (l) where very popular at the time. Although I love the look, I decided to make "coat" sleeves for my dress
instead.
The front of the dress closes with eighteen hooks and eyes, the sixteen fabric covered button are there just for decoration, they match the plaid stripes of my dress.We used two patterns for this dress; Simplicity # 4400, Misses Civil War Costume by Martha McCain The Fashion Historian and Laughing Moon #111 - Ladies Early 1860's Day Dress. The latter has the coat sleeves that I wanted. This type of sleeves is hard to find in illustrations from the victorian age, but the creator of the pattern has drafted the coat sleeved version of this dress after an original she has in her collection.
Two more examples of plaid dresses from 1860, the one on the left has coat sleeves like mine.
Source: (r) http://www.sensibility.com/vintageimages/victorian/
My son his comment was: "Nice tent Mum !"
Accessoires
Lace daycap aka lace bonnet
At this time a lady would still wear a lace daycap or lace bonnet inside, it could also be worn
under the bonnet, in order to be "dressed" when removing the bonnet. Looking at authentic victorian
daycaps you can see a great variety in styles. I choose to make a relativy simple version, based upon the one on the left for more info
click here.
Chemisette and Engageantes
A chemisette and engageantes set could be worn instead of a waist (blouse) to reduce bulk at the waist.
A chemisette is a blouse front,
engageantes are false undersleeves. Originally it would have been a matching set.
Both chemisette and engageantes are from the mid ninteenth century and where bought, seperatly,
at an antiques and curiosa fair.
Godey's Ladies Book June 1861
Shoes
Brown leather victorian style shoes, bought at a local flea market.
Purse
I bought the frame at an antique and curiosa market, it is very simple and clearly a reproduction
but I can't afford an original and having a purse is so easy ! The picture doesn't do the
colors any justice the frame is a gold color and the fabric is dark green velvet.
Chatelaine
Cornflower blue chatelaine, made by my mother.
