… it is said in about 1790, singed his fashionable military coat tails by standing too close to the fire, thus setting a fashion trend called a “Spencer”: a military coat with “frogging” (braid & decoration) but no “tails”. (photo: A man’s “Spencer” coat of 1800 – this one cut …
Category: Fashion History Blog
Website is a comin’!
Or as they would say in the 18th century, “Get those apples fixed, and hie to the barn with me ale.”
Want to look like Claire??
Re-enactors! Storytellers! Docents! Need a costume by June? We can do it – any (women) American era 1740 to 1900.. plus will do “Outlander” (1740’s France & Scotland) Email [email protected] (photos: shameless use of a handsome man for marketing – promo photos of Starz “Outlander” Seasons 1 & 2.. yes, …
The Patriots wore English cloth to fight them
Ironically, it was most likely imported English “Kerseymere” or Broadcloth the American Revolutionary patriot officers were wearing to fight the English. (photos: Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts, during the American Revolution 1775, where the “Red Coats” fought the Patriot “blue coats”.. mostly made of the same fabric) (1 American side; …
England’s big product was broadcloth…
…or “Kerseymere”, and extremely heavy wool used worldwide, especially for military coats. It was solid, weatherproof, and breathable, perfect for a “Red Coat”. (photos: British “Red Coat” uniforms of “Kerseymere” 1750-1835. Authentic British uniform from the Revolutionary War, now in an American museum.)
England was the leader of wool & cotton…
…sales in 1800. Production had moved from a “cottage industry” (small shops with each step being separated & run by different people) to “mass production” (where a man & his son could run all operations under one roof). Invention of mass production looms allowed for mass production export & trade …
A Big Fashion Influence in Regency…
…Regency/Colonial/Georgian eras was new technology in spinning & weaving fabrics. The “Spinning Jenny”, invented in 1764, & its continued improvement, allowed faster & mass production of natural threads – cotton and wool in particular. (photo: “Spinning Jenny” in England, 1764 – well, it’s in a museum now..)
Re-enacters! We’re looking for you…
…for a new commission to begin build in March 2017! Regency or Civil War eras. 2017 projects are deeply discounted in exchange for building our portfolio. Message or email for process & to discuss YOUR PERSONAL CHARACTER DESIGN: [email protected]
Here are 3 Fashionable “Georges”…
…for whom fashion was named: King George III (white hair)(“Georgian 1760-1829”), his son King George IV (dark hair)(“Regency 1800-1837”), & George Washington (seated w/tents in back)(“Colonial 1740+-1800+”). “Colonial” because it was the King Georges America fought in the Revolutionary War. America didn’t want any reminders of those fancy Georges, even …
Here’s the Early REGENCY SILHOUETTE…
…(“Georgian, Colonial”) we are discussing. It had a very high (“under the bust”) waistline, with narrow, lightweight, flowing skirt. Sleeves were little “puffs” or past the elbow, & there were intricate & unique embroideries & accessories used.