Marie Antoinette's: Fashion

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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.

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Marie Antoinette's Shoes

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

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The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking Spotlight + Book Giveaway!

Not long after I started blogging here I came across Lauren Stowell's blog on historical costuming. A long time follower, I was delighted to learn that Lauren, teamed up with Abby Cox, has recently published a book on 18th-century dressmaking. Let's dive into the book and see what it is all about!

I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own, of course. Read on for a chance to win a signed copy of the new book!

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18th Century Fashion Rules: Colors and Cuts

Elisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun, Comtesse Marie Dubarry. 1789, oil on canvas. Musée St.-Didie.

A Letter from Marie Antoinette to her mother, Maria Theresa dated June 13, 1776....

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18th Century Halloween Costume Tips!

Marie Antoinette from the film with a powder puff

Photograph from Marie Antoinette. Directed by Sofia Coppola. Performed by Kristen Dunst. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 2007. Film.

I am going to assume that you are all getting dressed up to the nines, in your most fabulous 18th century garb for October 31st, if only to hit up your favorite pub or go to a fancy ball your best friend is throwing at their mansion. Who knows!

In any case I want to give you some friendly advice and reminders to keep in mind while you begin your toilette and prepare for festive Halloween parties!

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Diamond feathers for her hair

"Spectacular old mine cut diamond and sapphire oversized feather brooch from Fred Leighton -- the one that fashion baron, André Leon Talley, borrows from time to time." source New York Social Diary

"I beg you will limit yourself to this ornament, even of which your charms have no need. This present should please you the more that it has not increased my expenditure, since it is composed of diamonds I possessed when I was a dauphin."¹

Even Louis XVI tried to curb Marie Antoinette's taste for tall headdresses, which were inspired by Georgiana duchess of Devonshire. In this anecdote, he offered her a beautiful diamond aigrette, made of diamonds from his personal collection, to wear instead of the frivolous feathers. Subtle(?) gesture.

¹Métra, François. "Correspondance littéraire secrète." Neuwied, Société typographique, Janurary 9, 1775. Quoted in Langlade, Émile, and A. S. Rappoport. 1913. Rose Bertin: the creator of fashion at the court of Marie-Antoinette. New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons. 40.

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Springtime Hats: Pastels, Pastels, Pastels!

Le Lever de la Reine

Check out some of the new styles of hats that hit the French runways in 1776! Which is your favorite?

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18th Century Landscapes and a Modern Skirt

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, French. Blindman's Buff. Probably c. 1765, oil on canvas. The National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)

Local designer she&reverie continue to be inspired by the 18th century, its fashions, gardens and popular genre paintings. Designer Quinne even told me the name she&reverie "comes from one of Jean-Honore Fragonard's 1770s-era paintings at the Frick Collection." It is lovely, see below.

They have a fun Print & Pattern collection and there is one skirt in there that I just love! The Rococo Skirt (of course!)

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18th Century Dress Layers and Steps

Recently on twitter @RaffiJefri asked me about the step by step process of wearing an 18th-century gown such as one Marie Antoinette might have worn. This is a fun question and there are some really excellent resources on this very topic.

Here are some video tutorials that illustrate the pieces, layers and process of wearing a fashionable 18th-century gown!

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Marie Antoinette Inspired Sunglasses and 18th Century Eyewear: Fit for a Queen

Modern take on Marie Antoinette's style, a Wildfox model wears 18th century inspired sunglasses with hair piled high in a pouf and lays on a blue velvet couch

I recently saw a post on My Elle blog about an eye-wear ad campaign inspired by Marie Antoinette. While I am pleased that Marie Antoinette continues to influence the fashion world this year, and a new twist - eye wear, in this case I would say the interpretation is all about the styling!

This time my beloved Wildfox Couture has released their new AW2014 line of eye-wear, The Fit for A Queen collection shows (some) inspiration from the 18th century.

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Madame DuBarry Movie Release

Eureka!Entertainment have announced they are releasing Madame DuBarry, as part of their Masters of Cinema Series on September 22, 2014.

This film stars actress Pola Negri (Emma Bovary in Madame Bovary 1937) as Jeanne Vaubernier, who would become the infamous Madame DuBarry and Emil Jannings as Louix XV. Jennings also portrayed King Henry VIII in Anna Boleyn (1920).....

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Chanel and Dior are Inspired: 18th century style and Marie Antoinette Fashions

We are right in the midst of Haute Couture Fashion week in Paris! Chanel's collection debuted this morning and the Dior collection on Monday. Both collections drew influences from the 18th century, think Petit Trianon, decorative arts and gardens.

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Camp Versailles: 18th century inspired fashion and #Giveaway

I have recently been in touch with long-time reader and fashion designer Quinne Myers from local apparel brand she & reverie. Quinne's Spring 2014 line has just launched, and her inspirations for it are Marie Antoinette's 18th-century Petit Trianon and its wonderful gardens.

This is so appropriately timed with the new book release, The Gardener of Versailles, which talks about these very gardens, and of course Dior's Spring 2014 make-up collection also inspired by the Petit Trianon!

The capsule collection is called Camp Versailles and is full of sweet made-in-NYC pieces like frothy silk mini tops, cute-yet-luxe kitsch-inspired hoodies, sundress/chemise combos, and perfect puff-sleeve lounge dresses.

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Dior inspired by Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon for Spring 2014 Makeup Collection

Dior looks back to the 18th century again for inspiration, this time it is Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon that has inspired their new makeup collection. The colors are soft and glowy - and the details are ornamental and fun, the palette vessel is a bow and the pots are impressed with ribbons.

What do you think of the colors selected for this collection? I can see the floral, pastoral and decorative arts influence!

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Winter Reads

Portrait miniature of Marie Antoinette reading letters

Francois Dumont, Marie Antoinette. 1780, portrait miniatures (5x3 in.), ivory. Image from slide, University of California, San Diego.

Here is my latest list of books about Marie Antoinette and the 18th century. I included my own little annotations to them and I suspect you will find something of interest here!

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Historical Fashion: 6 Beautiful 18th Century French Costume Designs

Fashionably dressed 18th century lady in purple with a hat and pink flowers and a yellow feather

Detail from Anonymous, Possibly connected to Antoine Caire-Morand. Two Costume Designs or Portrait Types. 1785-1790, Pen and black ink, graphite, gouache. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Enjoy the colors, styles, feathers and art. Historical fashion designs for the 18th century woman!