Old-Fashioned Elegance

January 23rd, 2008

Old-fashioned elegance. Doesn’t that phrase feel like a soothing piece of music just floated by you? Or a cool wind breathing beauty and refreshment? Or you just stroked a luxurious rich piece of velvet? It is all that and more. It is an encouragement to modern maidens to remember past days. To grasp what our fore mothers held dear. Virtue, purity, modesty, and inner beauty. In truth, tis a balm of ointment upon our scarred modern society…

OK, before I go go off on a poetic side path, I’m going to share with you a quote that I stumbled upon a few weeks ago. (Courtesy of Eras of Elegance) Read it thoroughly for it is quite a gem.

Dressing gracefully begins with developing inner beauty, which consists primarily of a gentle and quiet spirit. A woman of noble character exudes natural beauty that cannot be captured by merely donning a fancy gown. Externally, she is dressed modestly and elegantly.

Historic fashions offer modern women a sense of romance and elegance. Ladies of the past wore lace-trimmed petticoats, fine fabrics, proper gloves and hats. While one does not want to appear as if she is dressing for a costume party (nor do we want to break the bank), every lady can borrow some vintage elements to create a historical flair. The Regency, Victorian and Edwardian periods in particular provide some beautiful ideas…

As I’m sure is quite evident to those who know me, I love costumes and clothes of bye gone days! I simply adore the feminine and modest styles that our fore-mothers wore every single day. Imagine that! Washing your dirty laundry in a dress! That’s is reason aprons were invented girls. :-)

As I mention before in Sewing Bug, I am planning to sew at least one dress from my favorite periods. I have a futuristic goal in mind of a possible seamstress business, but while I’m getting that started I benefit from such fantastic costumes! Other than the eras mentioned in Sewing Bug, I really like Edwardian (Anne of Green Gables), Pioneer/Wild West, and many of the Scandinavian or Dutch costumes are nice as well. Some great resources for researching historic dresses are Sense and Sensibility and Eras of Elegance.

And to the gentlemen readers who have in all likelihood yawned after the first paragraph, my sincere apologies. I know this is, to borrow the colloquialism, a “girly” post. But do not despair! Soon I shall explore and research costumes for gentlemen. So cheer up and take heart!

Enjoy these photos of old-fashioned elegance!

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Posted in Odds and Ends, Photos | 23 Comments »

Here there be comments...

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 23, 2008 at 11:37 am

    Costumes for gentlemen! I cannot wait! All those who know me know that I love costumes too!

    Maybe after y’all get done with the research on gentlemen you can outfit me. LOL

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 23, 2008 at 11:39 am

    PS Walter’s Jamestown costume was excellent! So you do know something of a Gentleman’s costume!

  • Esther

    January 23, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Now you Willi gals know me im kind of a modern girl but some of those dresses are gorgeous! I specialy like the V waist! Cant wait to see your costume when its done!

  • Gabi

    January 23, 2008 at 2:17 pm

    WOW………. I LOVE these!!! Some of these paintings have long been my favorite but I couldn’t quite articulate why—it’s the femininity!!! The pictures of you and Angi (or is it Kasie??) are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! They look like museum pieces….
    thank you for puting htese together; they were a joy to look at!!
    God Bless You All!!!!!

  • Kaysie

    January 23, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    I too love old time dresses – and oftentimes I wish we all still dresses like that! :)
    Thanks for sharing the great pictures.

    Great to know that there are still young ladies out there who value femininity.
    God bless.

    Kaysie

  • Angie

    January 24, 2008 at 9:42 am

    Certainly Sir Valiant! Just inform me of the era of your choice. :-)

    Yes I like those V waists too! That’s probably my favorite aspect of the Colonial style. I don’t really go for the huge “poofs” on either side of the fancy ones. They look rather comical!

    Aren’t those paintings awesome? Yes the 22nd pic is one of Kasie and I. Also in the 23rd pic, it’s Kasie and I on the left, and the Thomas girls on the right.

    -Angie

  • Justin

    January 24, 2008 at 9:42 am

    Yep, that sword is *real* feminine.

  • Angie

    January 24, 2008 at 10:10 am

    :-) That was the best pic of the entire dress that I could find! Of course Eowyn SHOULD have stayed home were she belonged to look after her people. tsk tsk

    But it is one of my favorite dress in the entire movie!

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 24, 2008 at 10:29 am

    As far as era… I will have to think… :-)

    BTW where did you get picture #30?

  • Angie

    January 24, 2008 at 10:47 am

    Pic number 30 is from Prince Caspian. I guess this was a publicity shot or something.
    http://costumes.narniaweb.com/caspian/grouphow1.jpg

    -Angie

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 24, 2008 at 11:42 am

    Thank you Angie! I have not seen that movie yet… But is sure looked familiar! I just could not place it.

    -Andrew

  • Angie

    January 24, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    You’re welcome!

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 24, 2008 at 1:46 pm

    I could use a colonial Coat to go with the costume I wore out in Jamestown! LOL JK

  • Angie

    January 24, 2008 at 2:31 pm

  • Angie

    January 24, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    Patterns are definitely a must for coats! I would have a hard time designing it all my myself.

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 24, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Yes like that Angie.

    Well I actually have a pattern… We used it for our colonial costumes…

  • Andrew Higginbotham

    January 24, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    Clarification: We used the vest for our colonial costumes. I have not made a coat…

  • Esther

    January 25, 2008 at 6:38 pm

    two comments in a row should count as one! (mr andrew! *stare*) lol Your supose to post your thoughts in ONE comment not 2 in a row! just another proof that your CHEATIN! (lol just know that im playing with you mr higginbotham…. lol i love that name!)

  • violinman

    January 30, 2008 at 11:46 am

    yeah,cool stuff

  • Mr. Darcy

    January 31, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    Greetings Angie, forgive my tardiness in posting, such a fine collection of delightfully dressed damsels you have here. I would like to concur with you and Esther on the V waistline, I’m very partial to that. And the second Eowyn dress I am excessively attached to. Frankly, all the modesty elements aside, coming from a strictly aesthetic perspective, dresses are wonderful. There’s something infinitely appealing in the depth and texture I think. It’s just much more interesting than the alternative. The artist has spoken.

  • Kasie

    January 31, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Well said, Mr. Darcy. As for me, I still like a pair of jeans every now and then, but there’s nothing like a good old fashioned dress! It makes one feel so elegant, graceful, and feminine – ah!

    Makes me want to get going on my costume wardrobe! I can’t wait!

  • Annie Z

    February 21, 2008 at 7:05 pm

    Ooh! I love all those different styles of modest and beautiful dresses from various eras! I Totally wish it was the fasion to wear Anne of Green Gables style cloths now! Wahoo!…now I can’t wait to go finish sewing my vintage blouse!

  • Chloe Zielinski

    February 21, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    OH, don’t you just LOVE old-fashioned dresses? Well! Obviously you do!

    I love them too!


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