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.

Sixties dress

I haven't been doing much costuming or sewing lately. So all projects are progressing very slowely. but I did manage to finish one project. a sixties style dress. Usually I am a fifties style girl but I bought a lovely piece of fabric at a thrift store and this was the only dress I could make with it. Fifties style dresses with swing skirt  take a lot of fabric. As I only had a small piece I had to look beyond my comfort zone.
I ended up going for simplicity #3833, which has the elements that I suit my figure best,  as it is a high waisted a-line dress.

I made version A, with the long sleeves and the backstrap because I needed a autumn/winter dress. When it was finished I wasn't pleased with it because I thought it was a little bit plain/boring. Which is strange considering the bold pattern of the fabric. I added cuffs, backstraps and fake pockets in a very different style fabric to give the dress a little bit more visual interest. I don't have any pictures yet of me wearing it. So for now pictures of it on the coat hanger will have to do. 

The style of the dress took some getting used to. The first time I put it on I really hated it but today I am wearing it for the second time and it is growing on me.