Monday, October 18, 2010

Halloween's Tarty Treasures

Every year it seems there are more and more tartly 18th century costumes.  This year is no different, I still have some sort of sick pleasure in viewing all the campy creations meant to exhibit the wearer's legs and décolleté.  I was delighted to see one was dubbed "Naughty Antoinette."  This year I noticed some of these costumes exhibit the accurate panniers shape to the mini-skirt; fun!  I think a court of ladies dressed as such would result in the perfect assembly for a hen or bachelorette party.  Why the heck not, when else do you have every excuse to be outrageous and over the top?

So who has an 18th century-themed Halloween costume this year?

11 comments:

  1. I wish I had a good 18th century costume. I have a Regency era one for a Jane Austen ball I attended once and I may just pull it out for Halloween this year.

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  2. I also have a Regency inspired dress that I made in 2006. Well, sorta--I barely knew how to sew when I decided to make an 1816 party girl dress for a dance I was attending at Congress Hall in Cape May, founded in 1816. I didn't finish it in time, but finished it enough two years later to wear to work for Halloween. I've since pulled it out again to finish and sell it (I hate it, it's duipioni and annoying). You can see what it looked like in 2008 here: http://heidilea.livejournal.com/8567.html

    This year, I'm doing a 1920s one hour evening dress--I do have a reprint of a ribbon art book from 1923 that has a "fancy dress costume" section featuring the 1920s idea of an 18th century woman. It's quite facinating how perceptions change through fashion.

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  3. Oh, yeah--and I kinda hate the slut costumes out there. I had one once, paid $45 for it, and it fell apart in the wash. :P

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  4. I think I found the perfect site for your Halloween, my dear.

    It may be a little pricey but the costumes are simply perfect. It is all made with the best fabrics (silk, velvets, chantilly lace,...) in the eighteen century way.

    Check it HERE

    A little gossip: This Check couturier seems to be a little of a tart himself. He as an ad on his site asking for « a lady-companion for the position of professional Costume Producer. You should be either a woman or girl not over 50 years old, with slender figure, minimum 171 cm tall.»...

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  5. I wish I was talented enough to make (that is the only means I have for costumes) an 18th century costume, but I am making a Regency outfit in blue taffeta and white lace, hopefully it will turn out exquisitely pretty in time for All Hallow's Eve! :D

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  6. @heidilea, They are cheaply made yet so expensive! I took a pirate one and made it into a fabulous looking riding habit, and that was before I had the sewing "skills" I have now.

    @Fabu, Gasp! How scandalous! What a great find, now it is time to muse through the clothes longingly...

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  7. I always love the names they have for these!

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  8. I'm dressing up as an 18th century Mrs. Lovett! It consist of skirts of different lenghts worn over some pillows attatched on my hips(what a girl wouldn't do for wide hoop panniers *SIGH*), a normal top with 3/4 sleeves which have been decorated with black and white lace and over my hair i will wear a lace bonnett! And, of course, a bloody apron, an baking roll, a butcher knife and some meat pies in a basket as accesories!

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  9. That sounds amazing! You'll have to come back and post pictures

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