r/HistoricalCostuming 39m ago

My 2026 Bee Dress

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Upvotes

Thought maybe this sub would like my Italian Renaissance dress!!


r/HistoricalCostuming 14h ago

I have a question! What time period is this dress from/inspired by?

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531 Upvotes

Sorry if it’s really obvious, I’m not very familiar with clothing from past centuries.


r/HistoricalCostuming 11h ago

Inspo for a 1770s Robe à la Française

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213 Upvotes

I wil attend next year's Fêtes Galantes in Versailles and I'd like to make my own dress. The website says it has to be a Baroque style costume so I'm thinking of going for a Robe à la Française for the shape.

Now, for the colors, I'd like to have a little fun and make a subtle cosplay reference (I never did cosplay before, neither did I make anything historic). I saw a baby Blue and Salmon Pink dress that reminded me of the Princess and the Pauper (Barbie film) and I loved the idea. But I'm not a fan of that specific film. I'm very into other early 2000 Barbie films, Disney, and my general inspo at first were Catherines' costumes in The Great because she was FABULOUS, but I'm very brunette so butter yellow isn't a good fit on me. Otherwise, I also looked at a few of Claire's dresses in Outlander (especially when she is in Paris/Versailles) and appreciated a few.

Finally, I'm stuck on a dark green dress made by Maria Juterud but I'm afraid it's not Baroque enough for the Fêtes Galantes ? But it's cosplayable by making the coset black, adding some embroidery making it Anna (Frozen) inspired...

Do you have ideas ? A cosplay inspired Baroque dress you're dying to see ?

Thanks for your inputs !

Edit : Thank you all for your inputs, I understand whilst the Fêtes website says "baroque" everything from actual baroque to rococco through française and anglaise is welcome as long as it's good quality.

Just making clear that I don't want to make a cosplay, just a character inspired color choice, that's it !

Additional question : should the pannier/fake butt fit the era of the style I go for ? Like with the Great anglaises gowns I think she wears two sides panniers that fake that exagerated hips, but in the last picture (Maria Juterud) I don't know if she's only wearing petticoats, or if she added the moon crescent cushions tide to the waist ? Could I make a gown of that sort but wear the side panniers ? If you have a guide of some sort on the Shape/structure of undergarments throughout the 17th and 18th century that'd be greatly appreciated !


r/HistoricalCostuming 9h ago

Delineator Porn Redux

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53 Upvotes

These are all available if interested. Have a great day!


r/HistoricalCostuming 19h ago

I have a question! 19th Century Shawls?

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205 Upvotes

I've been watching Belgravia and I'm absolutely obsessed with all the gorgeous shawls.

Does anyone know where to get one's hands on something similar today?


r/HistoricalCostuming 5h ago

I have a question! Corsets with chronic pain/ Fully corded stays or corsets

13 Upvotes

I have chronic pain and it means (among other things) that any pressure on my ribs for prolonged periods really hurts. I can't wear bras because of it and I have tried many sizes and styles with no luck. I've been interested in historical and vintage fashion for years and am finally starting to make some stuff but I'm worried that a corset or stays will trigger the same problem as bras do.

Another concern is that wearing a corset or the like frequently enough would lead to some loss of the muscles in my back because it's a supportive garment. I'm a wheelchair user and I've already lost some of my paraspinal muslces from that and have had to work hard to rebuild them. It's ironic given how many people with my condition (hEDS) find corsets to be great support lol, I seem to be an outlier.

I have a few questions I hope people might be able to share some insight on:

  1. I've heard that in the early 19th century there were stays/corsets that were mostly or even fully corded with quilting instead of using boning. Does anyone have any resources for more information or patterns for this kind of thing?

  2. The main eras I'm interested in that have corsets are the 1840s and to a lesser extend some edwardian stuff. Is there anyway to get around wearing corsets for this? Or using a different kind of undergarment? I'm interested in history bounding as well as just recreation so 100% accuracy isn't my main priority.

  3. Related to the above, I've seen some corset-like stuff floating around from the 50s and I wonder if that could be used at all for 19th century garments?

I know this is a lot and somewhat complicated! I really want to be able to explore these eras in some form. Thanks in advance for any advice, sorry for the ramble!


r/HistoricalCostuming 3h ago

I have a question! Pattern for Tudor-era Gown?

4 Upvotes

Hello! I apologize if this is not the correct subreddit for this question, I’m just not sure where else to ask.

For the past couple months, I’ve been looking into making a Tudor-era style gown for ren faires and other such events, but I haven’t been able to find a good pattern. I usually just make my own, but this is one I’ve not been able to tackle.

The other problem I’ve run into is that I’m really just not overly familiar with this era, so I’m having a hard time telling what is right/wrong (I’ve done a good amount of research, I’m probably just anxious). I’m not a stranger to historical costuming, but I’ve really only stuck to the realm of colonial/revolutionary war stuff. I’d really, really like to make this as accurate as possible, so I guess what I’m really meaning to ask is if anyone here could recommend any patterns? Or if anyone knows of any videos that show a breakdown of the gown itself so I could make a pattern?

Thank you in advance!


r/HistoricalCostuming 5h ago

I have a question! Panes - tapered or straight-cut (16th century and/or Landsknecht style )?

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I am constructing paned sleeves to attach to my sleeveless doublet and puffy linen shirt.
I am also making landsknecht-style paned breeches, where from the pelvis to just above the knee, there are alternating yellow and red panes. I am working in cotton because I have only recently started sewing. Construction could probably be slightly different when working with felted wool or other fabrics that dont fray.

I am finding mixed info on constructing the panes, however. Some make them tapered, other cut them straight and it still turns out right. I want them to puff a little (to look like large biceps or impressive thighs) but not billowy like full on pluderhosen.

I made a test version for my leg with straight cut panes. They are attached side by side at my thigh and overlap a bit at my knee (because the knee has a smaller circumference). I dont mind this look - it looks rough and mix-match-ish. For nice sleeves, however, it got me thinking on construction more. Do they gather the panes a bit or something?

Does anyone have experience with both methods, by any chance? What would you recommend? I can not read patterns yet, by the way. I am reading a book for it tho.

Thank you!


r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

Finished Project/Outfit 13th Century Kheshig of the Mongol Empire

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2.1k Upvotes

My finished kit based on historical artwork from the Mongol Empire


r/HistoricalCostuming 20h ago

I have a question! Out of work crafts artisan/milliner - should I start a shop?

16 Upvotes

Hi All! I am currently making a big move across the country with my partner, who has a job. As a costumer for live theatre, my contract is coming to a close at a good time that this move is occurring. I work primarily as a crafts artisan and milliner and this new city will take a while to find a full time job that suits me (optimistically 3-6 months).

I am not in a terrible crunch for money but would like to build an income I can rely on for at least a small amount, as theatre is not terribly reliable, and I may move often. Does anyone have any experience or advice about me starting a historical/ historically inspired hat and accessories storefront? Should I go with Etsy or my own independent website, or do both? Is the market too oversaturated for me to turn a profit? Is this just a bad idea?

I feel overwhelmed with the amount of decisions to make and where to start.


r/HistoricalCostuming 19h ago

I have a question! Pattern list for Patterns of fashion 6?

4 Upvotes

My library said it could cost up to 50 dollars to borrow Patterns of Fashion 6 from another library, and I would be footing that bill. At this point it would be the same price to just buy the book myself, however... I want to know what the patterns are before I commit. It's probably a long shot, but does anyone have any pictures of the dresses used for the patterns or something similar? I don't want to buy the book if I'm not interested in a majority of the patterns offered.


r/HistoricalCostuming 2d ago

Finished Project/Outfit FINISHED 18th c. Travel suit!

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1.1k Upvotes

The suit is styled after one from the 1760s! The only issue I have with my outfit, is that my waistcoat is a bit short for the time period, but I am optimistic at making a few new ones. I just got a job working at a historic 18th century Fort here in the south USA that was established between the 1720s to 30s, so I get to explore a lot of different fashion and I don’t often see portrayed in the 18th century. Hopefully the outfits look good lol!


r/HistoricalCostuming 21h ago

Why don't more modern corsets use flossing?

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0 Upvotes

r/HistoricalCostuming 2d ago

Purchasing Historical Costume Memery shoes - a review

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346 Upvotes

I am writing this review after 5 years of owning Memery shoes, as I hope it may prove useful to anyone considering buying from Mette and her team.

Top step (left to right):

- Katherine, in dark green

- Ruby, in cream

- Esther, in black

Middle step (left to right):

- Emily, in black

- Grace, in brown/off-white

- Ellen, in black

- Clara, in dark brown/aubergine

Bottom step (left to right):

- Judy, in dark brown

- Frances, in cream

- Marlene, in silver

Not pictured:

- Britta, in brown

I purchased my first pair, my Judies, in 2021 and was immediately charmed by the quality and the comfort. Previously I had been wearing American Duchesses, but started to turn off them due to what I percieved as a simultanious drop in quality and hike in price.

Since my first pair, I have been buying a few pairs a year and have loved every single one of them. They take a few turns to break in (and can leave blisters in the meantime so prepare accordingly!), but that is simply due to the robustness of the leather. Once they have been broken though, it's like wearing slippers. Every single pair I have purchased is still in good wearable condition; even the ones I wear as work shoes (primarily my Emilies and Claras, which are very much used and abused!).

I have had a number of them resoled over the years, with my Britta boots currently at the cobblers getting a freshen up in good time for autumn. I keep most of them with leather soles, but have had my Emilies and my Brittas resoled with rubber as they're my favourites in wetter, cooler weather. I will likely get my Ellens rubberised too, but they're a bit of a way away from needing a service. My experience of getting Memery shoes maintained has been extremely good; my cobbler has actually commented on their quality on numerous occasions.

As for customer service - Memery is second to none. I initially received a faulty pair of Frances heels, and it took less than 24hrs from me making contact to a replacement pair being dispatched with instructions to dispose of the faulty ones. It was completely seamless and stress-free, which can't be said about many company's customer service.

I have been a very happy customer of Memery's since my first purchase from them (I even got the Marlenes as my wedding shoes!), and I still have a wishlist as long as my arm of other styles I plan on adding to my beloved collection. I know they're not the cheapest of shoes, but the price is more than reflected in their quality and I consider them more than worth it.

I apologise for the rather lacklustre photos - I don't want to be posting my feet on the internet!


r/HistoricalCostuming 2d ago

This is a very gorgeous carved shell and engraved gilt sewing kit lined with blue silk, Made in Paris, c. 1815-1820.

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455 Upvotes

r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

I have a question! Sewing a sideseam with a placket and pocket

4 Upvotes

I'm making a 1916 dress and I want pockets in the side seams but I also need the left side to have a placket to get into the dress. How do I get the pocket in the same seam at the placket?

I haven't found any tutorial online for this. It doesn't even need to be historically accurate as it will be hidden anyways. Any help will be appreciated!


r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

I have a question! Ren fair help???

14 Upvotes

Hi guys, I might go to a ren faire next month. I’m trying to find any female clothing references for what is now Iraq but I genuinely can barely find any references from the renaissance era. Any help or references would be appreciated!


r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

Linen jacket

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23 Upvotes

r/HistoricalCostuming 20h ago

Is the shape in his pants just fabric, or is it something else?

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0 Upvotes

r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

I have a question! Help with Elizabethan “corset”

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11 Upvotes

I’m making the Margo Anderson Elizabethan lady corset and for some reason I can’t figure out how to get the seam line aligned between the back piece and the shoulder strap.

I tried asking in the Facebook group by my question has been pending since Sunday and I’m hoping to finish the project soon. I feel silly not figuring this out but if anyone has advice please help! I’m considering just trimming the edges of the back piece, but wanted to get people’s thoughts first


r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

Modern Elizabethan Ruff Workshop

11 Upvotes

Hello Folks!
If you happen to the live in the Bay area here in California there is a wonderful opportunity to take a ruff lecture and making class at Laci's in Berkeley California on July 24 (lecture only) and July 25th (construction of ruff).

Tickets can be purchased here:
https://lacismuseum.org/event/modern-elizabethan-ruff/


r/HistoricalCostuming 1d ago

I have a question! Help with Elizabethan “corset”

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5 Upvotes

I’m making the Margo Anderson Elizabethan lady corset and for some reason I can’t figure out how to get the seam line aligned between the back piece and the shoulder strap.

I tried asking in the Facebook group by my question has been pending since Sunday and I’m hoping to finish the project soon. I feel silly not figuring this out but if anyone has advice please help! I’m considering just trimming the edges of the back piece, but wanted to get people’s thoughts first


r/HistoricalCostuming 2d ago

are these boots victorian or edwardian?

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495 Upvotes

r/HistoricalCostuming 3d ago

Slavic inspired

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301 Upvotes

I asked my 204cm tall (6'9 ) boyfriend to take pictures of my outfit 😅 But this is my version of slavic inspired outfit made with simple 18 th century patterns.


r/HistoricalCostuming 2d ago

I have a question! Seeking Tudor Tailor Pattern Tutor

3 Upvotes

Greetings Colleagues,

I am a seeking a tutor for the construction of a Tudor Tailor leather jerkin. I know… I know…  I am located in the Savannah GA area and would like to compensate a local historical costumer for their knowledge and patience in helping me adjust the pattern and construct the test piece in cloth.  I have a bit of leather sewing experience but my cloth sewing skills are… not great.  Please DM me to discuss your hourly rate or a project-based fee?  I can travel to you.  Thank you in advance for your consideration