Which style gown do you prefer?

I have run this poll twice now, 2015 and 2016. Each year the results were close...will this year be the same? The poll is now open! Which style gown do you prefer? 

The Robe à l'Anglaise or the Robe à la Française?   

Both styles were worn between the years of 1720 and 1780.  The robe à l'anglaise developed with a fitted back after the style of dress worn in England. The sacque-back of the robe à la Française is reinterpreted from the seventeenth–century gown to incorporate two expansive pleats from the neckline at back.

 Robe à l'Anglaise

Robe à l'Anglaise, French. 1785-87, silk. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Robe à l'Anglaise

Robe à la Française

Robe à la Française, French. 1750-75, silk. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Robe à la Française

Marie Antoinette's Boudoir at Fontainebleau

Jules-Marc-Antoine Frappaz, Marie Antoinette's Boudoir. 1876, oil on canvas. Musée national du Château de Fontainebleau.  

Then and now pictures of Marie Antoinette's Boudoir at Fontainebleau! Drawings are from 1876 and the photographs are from the 21st century. Is it to your taste? 

Seven Charges made against Marie Antoinette

Many people use Yahoo Questions and sometimes some pretty funny ones will pop up during searches. I stumbled on my amazingly relevant Yahoo Question of the Day recently, "What was the deal with Marie Antoinette?"

So the asking party really was wondering if she was executed, which I think we all here can safely answer 'yes.' But what were the grounds for her execution?  Let's take a look at her trial....

Versailles: a Bedroom of style

Photo tour!

The Queen's bedroom at Versailles saw its fair share of lady occupants. The style of the furnishings rotated with the fashions, which were kept up for the ladies, naturally.  They could update the decor and commission works for the rooms as they wished.  Today it is left as it was when Marie Antoinette occupied the room. The Guard room is the only room that is in its 17th-century state.  This room was occupied by the Queen's guard (twelve body guards).

Marie Antoinette's Shoes

I have found four pairs of shoes that Marie Antoinette owned and one fabulous pair she didn't own!

The Dining room from Kirtlington Park

Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire, 1742–48 Designed by John Sanderson (English, active from 1730, died 1774) Wood, plaster, and marble H. 20 ft. (6.09 m), L. 36 ft. (10.97 m), W. 24 ft. (7.32 m) Fletcher Fund, 1931 (32.53.1). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

One of my favorite period rooms at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the Dining room from Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire.  This room was designed mid-18th century, and walking through is really a transporting experience.  The details in the panels, stucco, and chimney-piece are beautiful. The lighting and decoration are thoughtfully done.  The wooden floors are original, and believed to be from trees from the owner's estate!

It's a Royal Wedding Weekend!

As we gear up for a Royal Wedding, I thought it would be a great time to take a look at all the fun festivities at royal weddings in 18th century France!

PS- Feel free to go into princess / prince-mode this week!