1840's - 1860's jacket

I've been wanting a winter jacket/coat for my 1840's , 1850's and 1860's costumes for a long time. Although it wasn't a really cold day or cold winter for that matter. I was really cold in my costume so I really need that extra layer. The look I am going for is one I have seen in movies like A Christmas Carol a thousand times but unfortanetly movie costume aren't necessarily historically correct.

1840's

I like the look of these coat and cape/pelerine combiantions from the 1840's. Which sometimes even seem to have an attached hood (1844's purple coat). I would love to make one of those but I don't have enough fabric and I need it to be wearable with my 1850's and 1860's costume as well.

1850's-60's jackets

Here are some jackets that I like from 1850's-1860's. I especially like the 1857 red jacket with fur worn by Princess Eugenie.

1860's paletot pattern by Period Impressions

I have bought 1860's paletot pattern by Period Impressions years ago but it takes up an awful lot of fabric and in my opinion is very unelegant.

A while ago I found this really cool free pattern for a authentic 1848's Victorian coat on-line. You can find it at Marmota's Dress Diaries. The sewalong has been over for quite some time but ofcourse the pattern is still very useful.

Original 1848 jacket.

 I printed and taped it together December last year.Yesterday I bought a really cheap fabric to make a mock-up model. The pattern goes together really well and doesn't take up a lot of fabric. I made a size 16 (42) with a piece of fabric about 2m long and 150 wide. For me it runs a little small, especially because I want the pieces in front to meet and it needs to be lined. Time for me to try and make some alterations to the pattern.

My current plan is to make a red woollen1850's style coat which than can be worn with or without the red woollen pelerine/capelet with hood. (Maybe I'll take the hood off) Making the coat and cape pretty versatile in my costume closet.

Romantic fashions at the Gemeentemuseum, Den Haag. Part 2 The Movie Costumes

I must admit I liked the original 19th century garments better 

but this blog is for all movie costumes lovers out there!

Original moviecostumes from Pride and Prejudice (1995)

And Colin Firths wet shirt outfit.

Nicole Kidmans red dress for Portrait of a Lady.

What a tiny waist she had!

The hats from Titanic

The hat that didn't make it to the silver screen.

Dresses from Downton Abbey

Romantic Fashions at the Gemeentemuseum, Den Haag (part 1)

Last tuesday I visited the Romantic Fashion exhibition for the second time, I had visited it earlier this year in February, but I loved it so much that I jumped at the chance to go again. Both times I went with a fellow costumelover and both times I had a wonderful time. My husband and son are always good company but nothing beats looking at costumes with people who are just as enthusiastic about them as I am.

Enough talk, it's time for the photo's !

Most garments where originals from the 19th century

like these dresses from 1800-1830.

Cotton dresses from 1830-1835

Not only the costumes where great but also the displays.

1888-1913

Pre-crinoline fashion 1845-1855

1850-1865 

Ballgowns

This is a small selection of the pictures I made that day, I have about 200 photographs and I will add them to a photoalbum on our Victorian website "De Gracieuse". I promises I will keep you al posted. In the meantime visit our facebook page for more pictures. The exhibition is on display untill the 22th of March.

1880's hat

One of the bigger project I am currently working on is a 1880's hat. I have been wearing my top hat for years now with my bustle costume and I am actually quite fed up with! Time for a new hat.

The intial inspiration was the hat worn by Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler in Sherlock Holmes (2009) directed by Guy Ritchie.

Here are some hats in the same style from the 1870's-1880's.

Hat made with fur, wool and silk ca, 1885, French 

http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/156128

Straw hat, ca. 1886, America

http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/113332

 1870's-1880's hat pattern by Wingeo

I have bought the 1870's - 1880's hat pattern by Wingeo. I don't think that the pattern is bad but the description is really very minimalistic. If you want to make a hat like this I would reccomend buying the Womens Victorian tall hat by Lyn McMasters or the 1880's buckram hat frame pattern by Truly Victorian. I am actually using the description from a Lyn McMasters hat pattern to make my hat.

Cutting the buckram

Buckram frame for the brim and top

Both sides of the brim have been covered with outer fabric.

Now putting ribbon on the brim to finish the edge.

The top has also been covered with the outer fabric.

There a lot of things going on in my life at this moment. Working on this hat and my other projects helps me unwind.