Make Your Own Ribbon Watch Chain
by Kathe Gust During the 18th century, watches became an indispensable accessory for both men and women. In menswear of the period, the trouser pocket for watch storage was called a “fob” and the decorative attachment to the watch was called a “chain”. Even today, many denim jeans have fob pockets, but those are actually easier to access than Georgian and […]
Call Me Demelza Poldark
By Jane Xavier Dougherty The second I saw Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark galloping along the dramatic Cornish coastline, back in 1975, I admit to being entranced by Poldark. Set in the late 18th to early 19th centuries, Winston Graham’s novels of Cornwall came to life on the TV screen with all the drama and sweeping romance my teenage brain […]
Guide to the Fetes Galantes
By HCC Cosplay Editor’s Note: This article is republished with permission from HCC Cosplay. Les Fêtes Galantes at the Palace of Versailles in France is an annual costume-required event that started in 2014. It’s a formal ball styled to mimic the grand events held during the height of the French monarchy. Typically held the last Monday of May a “quality […]
Maschere a Venezia
What mask will you wear to the Bal di Carnivale? by Carol Wood, First published for the January/February 2014 issue of Finery Put off that mask of burning goldWith emerald eyes.Oh no, my dear, you make so boldTo find if hearts be wild and wise,And yet not cold.I would but find what’s there to find,Love or deceit.It was the mask […]
Imbibing Fashionable Waters
by Deborah Parker Wong, First published for the March/April 2013 issue of Finery From sacred springs to the Roman baths, the healing power of water are found referenced throughout history. During the 18th and 19th centuries, “taking the waters” became a popular past time for the leisure class. Whether done at the advice of a doctor or simply as a […]
Petticoats as Outerwear?
by Catherine Scholar, First published for the September/October 2012 issue of Finery No, I’m not talking about the 1980s trend of wearing vintage Victorian petticoats as streetwear. Nor do I mean the 1990s slip-dress fad. I’m talking about skirts, circa 18th century. You see, before about 1800, any kind of free-standing skirt (not attached to a bodice) was referred to […]
Short Gowns: the Revolutionary T-Tunic
by Cynthia Howell, First published for the July/August 2012 issue of Finery Puzzling about what to wear to the Revolutionary Picnic? Are you uninspired by the gowns in your closet? Are you looking for an interesting project to use up a few spare yards of fabric? Would you like to be fashionable and functional? Look no further than the short […]
From Head to Toe: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection
by Cynthia Howell, First published for the July/August 2011 issue of Finery One of the real pleasures of the accessories symposium in Williamsburg VA was the opportunity to view the exhibit “From Head to Toe, the Colonial Williamsburg Collection”. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum housed the exhibit in conjunction with symposium. While the exhibit was not huge, it was […]
Visiting the 18th Century
Accessories at Williamsburg by Kendra Van Cleave, First published for the May/June 2011 issue of Finery In March, Colonial Williamsburg presented a research symposium called “Costume Accessories: Head to Toe,” which coincided with an exhibition of (mostly 18th century) accessories at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. When it was first announced, I thought, “Cool! But – why is everything […]
Carnival in Venice
The Costume IS the Performance by Shelley Monson, First published for the January/February 2011 issue of Finery Today we use the word “carnival” to mean much the same as circus, but in the past it referred specifically to the celebration of the holiday Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent. Shrove Tuesday, known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in […]
