Girl’s Fancy Dress Costume | ’Young Princess of Lotusland’ | c. 1926
My child will have costumes like this…you know just to wear to the grocery store and stuff.
Evening Dress | c. 1932
After the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the era of the flapper was put to rest, the hemlines dropped and the waistline rose. A slim figure was still in vogue but this was accented by the bias-cut dress, low backs, and deep V-necks at front. The 1930s was full of glamour and with the growing popularity of the cinema, women turned to their favorite actresses for wardrobe inspiration. This evening dress evokes the idea of a chic evening. The bodice construction is inventive and daring, with its low cut and knot at front. The skirt itself is a tour de force of beadwork and would catch the light when in movement, enhancing its visual appeal.
Mrs. Baldwin | Joshua Reynolds | c. 1782
Nineteen-year-old Jane Baldwin, the wife of a wealthy merchant, was born in Smyrna (now Izmir in Turkey) of British parents. She had no East European blood, but Mrs Baldwin made the most of her exotic background; she was known as the ‘pretty Greek’. She wore this outfit to a ball hosted by the king in 1782.
Sonia Delaunay | Costume for ’Cléopâtre’ Ballets Russes | c. 1918
La Frayeur by Pierre-Louis Pierson.
1861-1867
I just posted the real life dress a few days ago..this is a fun find.
http://defunctfashion.tumblr.com/post/922762468/gown-for-the-comtesse-di-castiglione
costumecaroline asked: Thanks for following back! This is one of my favorite Tumblrs, recommended it a bunch of times!
I enjoy yours as well! Where are you studying costume design? I am a fashion design / wannabe costume design student.
randomloveofthings asked: I was wondering if you had anything that showed what people wore during the Westward Expansion in the United States? I guess some people call them prairie dresses? I figure thats what people of a lower status wore so their dresses aren't as documented (which is something you mentioned a while back. I never thought of that but it makes total sense!) But if you had anything or knew where to find some, I am very interested!
Your tumblr is awesome! Thanks!!!
Western fashion of the era was universal as far as basic silhouette goes. The less affluent strived to look like the more affluent, story as old as time, right? The working class did tend to wear separates more often towards the end of the 19th century. Fabrics of course were less luxurious and more practical. Like you mentioned we don’t have many extant examples of clothing from the working and middle classes because clothing was used until it was worn out or repurposed.
