French dress?

[liadethornegge]

Here it is then - possibly a new outfit inspired by this portrait. It's something to think about at the least, and it is brown, like one of the cuts of wool in my stash. Decorated with black velvet guards, interesting sleeves, upcurved bodice and some sort of French hood on.

Comments

[oldergoddess.livejournal.com]

ooooohhh I love that and you will look stunning :)

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Thanks. She is quite pretty isn't she. The only thing I am a little iffy about is the white ruffly lace thing at the front of the headpiece. But I suppose it needs something to lift the black of the hood.

[aclisto.livejournal.com]

That is a wonderful portrait!

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Thanks - it was among the many portraits bippimalin sent me. But as the caption says (if you click on it) you can find it online at the French Museums photo site (http://www.rmnphoto.com/c/htm/CSearchT.aspx?V=CSearchT&SID=22S39UXHTLFV&E=S_22S39UXHTLFV&NoR=500&New=T). I only wish it were a little larger.

[dame-eleanor.livejournal.com]

I love it!!! So stern, and simple!!

Can't wait to see!!!

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Excactly, that's what I like about it, simple but not "let loose", sort of thing. I'm not entirely sure what I mean either, but I like it. And hey, a dark brown dress with black guards? It'll be practical too! Right?

Yes, corsetry and such, and froo-froo hair, but it's brown! Won't stain!

[myladyswardrobe.livejournal.com]

Oooh - she is pretty!! And a lovely chocolate brown wool.

The partlet looks like white work.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Do you think it looks like whitework?

I keep looking at the top of the collar on the whitework and I see the ruffle being all gauzy. So many of the other portraits looked like two layers, one solid white covered with a gauzy fabric.

Hmm, but I suppose the upper body doesn't look gauze as much as it looks like bands of white embroidery. You're probably right as usual!

[bippimalin.livejournal.com]

That would probably make an excellent gown in brown wool with trimmings like you mention.
And you can wear your gathered partlet with it! :)

One thing that I especially like with the french outfits is the beaded necklaces and their creative use of pearls in general. Amongs other things I do confess to being a beadoholic. :)

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Yes, I could at that. Though it looks to me like the partlet has a collar that goes down the front as well. I have a pattern for that kind, might look spiffing in some sheer fabric. Well, that's in the future - and now you know which of the portraits I am looking at for inspiration! Thank you again for sending that entire package.

I did look at the beads myself actually - I think I could reproduce one or two of the neat little necklaces even! I am not a beadaholic myself, but I suspect that is only a lack of supplies and proper tutelage. :)

[bippimalin.livejournal.com]

I just discovered lots of Clouet paintings at RMN (as I suspect you have too), it's a -very- nice look.
And you are right, the partlet collar does appear to go down the front. Interesting. *has to stare at all the other portraits to see if more examples of it can be seen*

I'm going to Prauge in late july/early august, if you -remind me- and send me a list of exactly what type/size of beads you would like and what type of budget you are willing to pay for I could pick up some Czech glass beads for you. :)
They may not have all types you'd like, but they are so cheap! For example 10 g seed beads cost about 3,5 SEK/0.50 USD.
I know one bead store and I also spotted a place in downtown that sold garnet and coral and various semiprecious stone necklaces etc for very good prices.
And we do have a very nice bead store here in Gothenburg too.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

I did flip through all those Clouets, yes :) I've done it before as well, but you can never get enough I say.

As for getting beads in Prague - I have no idea what kind or how much I'd need. I just don't know enough to know those kinds of things right now :(

I've made enough purchases without knowing what I was on about before so I'm a bit apprehensive about that these days. Maybe by that time I will know something, but it's not certain by any stretch.

[bippimalin.livejournal.com]

If you do come to know what you'd need, just let me know. We've gone to Prauge once a year these last few years, and it's a habit we'll keep. :D

[purplemermaid.livejournal.com]

I was going to say - once I had got to the end of the comments, but I am going to interrupt here and now - that of you make the costume then I will make you the necklace ... possibly even both of them!

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Squee! *bounce* You're an absolute darling.

Right, so this project has moved up on the list of priorities then :) I still have a few items before it tho.