For those readers who have been around since last year, you might recall that my favourite holiday is Halloween. It could be the inner-18th century lady in me, but I just love a night of mischief at the masquerade. Last year I asked, and I will ask again now: who has an 18th century-related costume they might want to share? Any Duchesses of D out there? Queens of the Night? Marquises de Sade?If you have an 18th century related costume planned for this year I want to know about it, even if you can't share your pictures! So what's everyone going to be?
Where do you begin with an 18th century costume? How do you find panniers etc?
ReplyDeleteI've started making my Marie Antoinette costume and I'm so excited! I hope I can get everything done in time...
ReplyDeleteI'm sewing my Undead Marie Antoinette, Queen of the Zombies dress right now! Am really looking forward to making the gorey effects to go with it and powdering up my hair. There's a concept picture on my blog: http://gentlewomanthief.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/marie-antoinette-queen-of-the-zombies/
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to wear it!
@Tulip, I think if you want a nice one, you have to make it. I know I've seen pannier patterns from simplicity. I, not being a seamstress have modged-podged ones together with good results! (sans panniers too!)
ReplyDelete@Carley, you can totally do it! We better get some pictures!
@Clare S, That's AMAZING. I can't wait to see it!
@Clare S, et al: I read a long time ago, in a book on fashion, an excerpt from the diary of a young man of late 18th Cent haute ton, who was describing with humor and horror seeing a great aristocratic woman's hair 'part' one night at a ball. 'Parting' was when the hair, having lots of natural oils, plus added greases to hold the styles and catch the powder, would attract flies which laid their eggs in the 'do'. Then when the maggots hatched and all flew out of the 'do' they would push an opening through the pouf not unlike parting a curtain to fly away. I think if there was a way to recreate this with little fake flies on small wires, it would be an interestingly accurate detail plus plenty disgusting for a zombie queen.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is why he is a professional designer! That would be amazing, and not too too difficult to whip up.
ReplyDelete@Paul.
ReplyDeleteThat was totally disguisting.
I think I'm off wigs. Forever.
My boyfriend and I are attending an 18th century masquerade in Sweden on October 24th (close enough for halloween!) I'm currently working on his 1790s men's Incroyable inspired suit my early 1790s silk gown.
ReplyDeleteI'm most excited about the hair. :)
Pictures, posts, etc, can be found on my blog, http://stay-ingalive.blogspot.com
My daughter has an Elizabeth Swann costume but I wont fit into it!
ReplyDeletePaul, as horrific as that sounds.... it's something I'd LOVE to see! lol And our generation thinks it's badly off having the odd affliction of headlice! :O)
@Heather Thank you! I only hope I have time to get it done as I'm sewing it all by hand - :/
ReplyDelete@Paul Miller - Oh wow, that is disgusting and wonderful! I love it!! Right, better get some wire and fake flies!! Thank you - that's such an awesome idea.
does anyone have a good recipe for fake blood and gore that won't stain the dress or ruin the wig?
ReplyDeletethinking: guillotine that didn't quite do the job!
@Margravine One (or both) of the zombie guides on this site has recipes for fake blood, but I'm not sure how washable they are, I'm afraid:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.terror4fun.com/zombie_makeup_guideLIST.html
I'm just going to try to avoid getting blood on the dress, unless I can find something washable...
okay - decision made.
ReplyDeletethe child will go as "Bellatrix LeStrange" from Harry Potter fame.
Mother will be an 18th century strumpet.... previously convicted for strumpetry and not survived being hung.
will send photos later
A strumpet! Hahaha I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to do Marie Antoinette with a dramatic neck slash with lots of blood and maybe some cake...
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the fly idea. I'll have to think how i can incorporate it.
The gown isn't going to be hugely accurate, but will have a zone front, so I can practice for when I do make an accurate caraco with zone front.
I cannot wait to see these pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm be a Day of the Dead girl this year, last year I was a dead Marie Antoinette and it was a hit.
ReplyDeletehttp://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/jewleo/?action=view¤t=marie1.jpg
Close up of the neck:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/jewleo/?action=view¤t=marie.jpg
Me and my friend went downtown Chicago and I got tons of compliments, esp. about the neck part! Many people remarked on how real it looked. I used a slit throat scar kit I got at some costume shop and just got creative with it. I recommend it to anybody looking to be a gorey queen for Halloween (Anne Boleyn possibly?)
You looked GREAT! The neck really did come out well. Kudos to you for the extra creativity!
ReplyDeleteWow I didnt know there were so many other chicks (and guys) totally wacky about Georgaina and the period. I'd like to dress like it all day if I could garrentee I wouldnt be considered to loony! However in Australia just being interested in the period would be considered quite strange
ReplyDeleteHow is everyone doing with their costumes? so far, I have dressed a headless woman (Mary Blige, drown'd at sea - a good lass waiting for her man to come home, slipped and fell at high tide, and was ne'er seen again).
ReplyDeleteI'm making an 18th century costume for the halloween :) I can give you a lnk to a picture of it when it's ready! :D I chose to sew a national Swedish costume (svenska nationella dräkten) because I find them quite halloween-ish!
ReplyDeleteI did not make myself a costume, but I did make an 18th Century costume for a doll this past week instead. Coincidentally I found your post on Mary Read shortly after (plan to make a doll of her next). Cool blog you have. My doll costume is for Anne Bonny
ReplyDeletehttp://cindysowers.blogspot.com/2009/11/anne-bonny-pirate-lass.html
Ok, so I finished my Marie Antoinette costume and got to wear it to events for the last two weekends! It was a big hit and I'm very happy with how it turned out!
ReplyDeletePictures and (some) info here:
Bella Boston
I was Robert Shirtliff AKA Deborah Samson
ReplyDeleteOk, here is a link to my costume! http://bluekite.deviantart.com/art/Svenska-Nationella-Drakten1778-143181306 Please read the descreption under the picture for further information!!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful! I love the history of it too!
ReplyDeleteI also got an email from reader, Justin who was King Louis XVI for Halloween (how spectacular!). Here is a link to his costumehere.