18th Century Fashion

A few days ago I was browsing the web page of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and I came across their gorgeous section of costume history. I've spent literally hours looking through pages with countless costumes dating from different historical periods. I was amazed by the beautiful materials and gorgeous embroideries of the dresses. I even made different scenarios in my head of countesses and duchesses sweeping the floors of their magnificent mansions with their beautiful and elegant attire. So silly, I know, but I must confess that I've never seen such fantastic creations in my life, and while I'm sure that they were not the most comfortable clothes to wear, they looked simply stunning.

Therefore, I decided to share with you a selection of costumes dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. I'm sure you will understand why I'm so mesmerised after you are going to see them :)

So, today's post is all about 18th century fashion (I have a ginormous number of pictures and this is why I've decided to split them into three posts). Enjoy!

Robe à la Français (1760–70), made of silk and cotton

The description provided by the Met: "Women with coquettish airs were imposing in robes à la française and robes à l'anglaise throughout the period between 1720 and 1780. The robe à la française was derived from the loose negligee sacque dress of the earlier part of the century, which was pleated from the shoulders at the front at the back. The wide skirts, which were often open at the front to expose a highly decorated underskirt, were supported by panniers created from padding and hoops of different materials such as cane, baleen or metal. The robes à la française are renowned for the beauty of their textiles, the cut of the back employing box pleats and skirt decorations, known as robings, which showed endless imagination and variety."

Robe à la Française (1765) made of silk

French dress  (1775), made of silk.

These three dresses are my favourite ones...just look at those patterns and colours. Stunning!

Robes à la Française (1770), made of silk

 

Robe à la Française (1770) made of silk

Robe à la Française(1750–75), made of silk

French Dress (1750–75) made of cotton

Robe à l'Anglaise (1770–75), made of silk and metal

      Description:  "The robe à l'anglaise developed with a fitted back after the style of dress worn in England.They are renowned for the beauty of their textiles and the meticulous fit of their bodice back."

Robes à la Polonaise (1780), made of silk

Robes à la Polonaise (1780-85) made of silk de chine with hand-painted multicolored floral sprays

Description: "The polonaise gown first came into fashion in the 1770s. It was a style of gown with a close-fitting bodice and the back of the skirt gathered up into three separate puffed sections to reveal the petticoat below. The method of suspending the fabric varied. Most often the dress had rows of little rings sewn inside the skirt through which a cord ran from hem to waist. Alternatively, ribbon ties would be used, with the ribbons forming decorative bows. However, in some instances the skirt was held in place by simple cords sewn to the inner waist of the dress and looped over buttons attached to the outside waistline."

That's it for part one. I really hope you liked the dresses and this type of posts :) Stay tuned for the next post about 19th century dresses.

Kisses x