Okay. This is going to be a long, ranty costuming post about how much I hate fashion from the 1820's through the 1870's, so I'm putting it behind a cut. But I do still need some help. . .
My gut reaction is that a lady wouldn't be in riding clothes in the city unless she'd been out riding in the park. But the styles are scrumptious--much better than most of those for the era.
If you're coming as a customer, you can wear whatever you damn well please. You can wear a bustle - I have many times as a customer! If you want to hit the right dates but like the riding styles, I think that would be great. SUre, in reality you'd only wear those styles when riding (altho your later post w/ the 1840s jacket bodice would be perfect imho), but why not? You like them! Make one!
Also, I don't know who else is making a similar style, but my theory about this issue is always - as long as you consciously don't try to rip someone else off (ie you're both making a riding habit, so you consciously choose a different cut or trim or whatever) you're fine. If someone makes the same style as me but tries to be different, I"m good. If they use the same color/cut/trim, I'd be irritated.
I was just reading your info about making a corded petticoat to get the right bell shape. Half of the riding outfits are all loose and flowy, and the other half seem to have petticoat support. Since I won't be sitting on a horse, I probably need some sort of hoop or corded/ruffled petticoat/crinoline thing to support it. This would be doubly-so if I bought cotton velvet, as it would need the support for the weight.
I would like to talk to you a bit more about the corded petticoat thing. . . are you counting on the bustle pad to give more fullness in the back, or are you actually putting more fabric towards the back when you make it?
I wish I could see the front of that striped dress/jacket. I love it quite a bit.
Can you tell I'm attracted to the stuff that looks 18th century? : )
you only need to wear one petticoat under the skirt and no hoops. My excuse for wandering around the city in my habit is that I was on a ride in the park and decided to come into town unexpectedly. Be damned with propriety! (my other excuse is that I'm fabulously rich and eccentric;)
The equestrienne habits are extremely easy. The skirts at this time are 9-16" longer than normal, but still a big rectangle. The bodices are somewhat militaristic and severely cut.
Riding at DickensthreadwalkerNovember 14 2007, 00:16:46 UTC
You can wear whatever you want! But that said, since you want your pretty and your period correctness, I'll answer to that. Yes- you're fine to go with the riding habit. Bring a little crop to give people the idea- that will totally make the costume. Talk about your horse (there is in fact a place to ride in the park). Be an eccentric lady maybe- out in the park for a ride and just had to go for a spell of Christmas shopping!
Likelihood of matching??? Don't worry about it! I have never seen someone wear a riding outfit to Dickens. I think it would be awesome!
And you even have the cute small top hat style that's perfect (notice it's smaller than a man's hat would be) and you can show it off totally in period in this context! Bring your cards, you'll want them! I believe attaching a veil and/or wrapping a light bit of fabric around the hat was period (in some of your period sketches there).
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My gut reaction is that a lady wouldn't be in riding clothes in the city unless she'd been out riding in the park. But the styles are scrumptious--much better than most of those for the era.
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i really like the cut of the coat in this one: http://www.shootingstarhistory.com/ridinghabits.html
it's both military, yet feminine and would look fantastic on you (in black wool maybe?)
p.s. since you're supposed to be in character, who's horse are you gonna borrow? ;-)
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Also, I don't know who else is making a similar style, but my theory about this issue is always - as long as you consciously don't try to rip someone else off (ie you're both making a riding habit, so you consciously choose a different cut or trim or whatever) you're fine. If someone makes the same style as me but tries to be different, I"m good. If they use the same color/cut/trim, I'd be irritated.
I say go for it! You'd look fabulous.
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I would like to talk to you a bit more about the corded petticoat thing. . . are you counting on the bustle pad to give more fullness in the back, or are you actually putting more fabric towards the back when you make it?
I wish I could see the front of that striped dress/jacket. I love it quite a bit.
Can you tell I'm attracted to the stuff that looks 18th century? : )
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Could you wear your Venetian corded petticoat under this, at least as the bottom layer?
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The equestrienne habits are extremely easy. The skirts at this time are 9-16" longer than normal, but still a big rectangle. The bodices are somewhat militaristic and severely cut.
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this is what I get for reading posts in backwards order...
I so know what you mean about the era...
what is up with the awful sloped shoulders??
I say go for it!
because I selfishly want to see whatever pretty you make!
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Likelihood of matching??? Don't worry about it! I have never seen someone wear a riding outfit to Dickens. I think it would be awesome!
And you even have the cute small top hat style that's perfect (notice it's smaller than a man's hat would be) and you can show it off totally in period in this context! Bring your cards, you'll want them! I believe attaching a veil and/or wrapping a light bit of fabric around the hat was period (in some of your period sketches there).
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