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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Apr 21, 2008 16:50:07 GMT -5
Oooh, so much information :-) Thank you all for your input. From the sounds of things, the car seems to be the challenge. I have an idea, why don't we get rid of cars and go back to horses and carraiges ::hee, hee:: Hear hear!
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Lady Serendipity
Clergy
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". --Jane Austen
Posts: 120
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Post by Lady Serendipity on Apr 22, 2008 22:51:40 GMT -5
In France the Age of Reason brought with it revolutionary thoughts and an absolute obsession with the ancient world. Women’s dress began to look like Grecian statues and Roman togas. The waist rose. Rather off-topic, but THANK YOU! It's been on my mind to inquire as to the origin of the classically inspired fashions. I should go read more about it....it sounds interesting. (errrr....Actually, I'm quite sure that I've read all about it in the past, and have just FORGOTTEN all about it! lol)
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Apr 22, 2008 23:43:39 GMT -5
Dawn,
I read somewhere that the reason why fashion was simplified around the time of the revolution was to blur the distinction between the privileged and the ... not so privileged. I was told that the in-your-face-look-at-me-in-fine-silks-you-scum-peasants-could-never-afford-class-defining-frou-frou-la-la georgian fashions further inflamed the desire to revolt... and by the privileged 'dressing down' to some degree in fashions that were less garish and frivolous, that they were essentially making sure they would keep their heads on their shoulders until the 'peasantry' settled down a bit.
Was I told wrong?
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Post by cosmoblue on Apr 23, 2008 2:41:51 GMT -5
Dawn, I read somewhere that the reason why fashion was simplified around the time of the revolution was to blur the distinction between the privileged and the ... not so privileged. I was told that the in-your-face-look-at-me-in-fine-silks-you-scum-peasants-could-never-afford-class-defining-frou-frou-la-la georgian fashions further inflamed the desire to revolt... and by the privileged 'dressing down' to some degree in fashions that were less garish and frivolous, that they were essentially making sure they would keep their heads on their shoulders until the 'peasantry' settled down a bit. Was I told wrong? I have read that too.
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Post by dawnluckham on Apr 23, 2008 10:07:50 GMT -5
No, Steph, you’re not wrong at all. The points you’ve suggested are absolutely on target – but they are perhaps a bit oversimplified. As with everything in life there are so many different facets that combine to make up the whole crystal clear. The move toward “simplification” had already begun before the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette shocked the French court by wearing a chemise gown for her portrait in 1783. This was a sheer cotton gown – not the French-manufactured formal and ostentatious silks that was expected in the French court. Within a few years, however, people were copying Marie’s Chemise à la Riene. This is Madame Serizat 1795. Notice in both of these gowns how the wide sash at the waist already visually raises the waistline to fit under the bust. Also notice that both of these portraits show the wearing of the flat front stays of the 18th century. I misspoke when I referred to “The Age of Reason”. This is actually a bit of an earlier idea. More correctly, the 18th century should be called “The Age of Enlightenment”, which is an evolution of the thoughts associated with The Age of Reason. These were philosophies that were popular at the time. In an oversimplified nutshell, it was a hope to improve the lives of mankind. It questioned the traditional values and upheld concepts of education and open thinking. The writings of French philosophers Voltaire and Rousseau led the way. Excavation on the ancient city of Pompeii began in 1748. This was really exciting news! The fascination of the ancient world kept the ‘modern’ western world occupied. Combining these two things as society approached the time of the French Revolution (1789-1799) it was natural to look toward Roman Government and the idea of a ‘republic’ and concepts of ‘democracy’. During the Reign of Terror (1793-1794) it was extremely unwise to wear the clothing of the “old French court”. This was a period in time where what you wore publicly declaired what ‘side’ you were on. It was most wise to appear neutral or as a “citizan” of the new Republic. Thus cocades of red white and blue appeared on hats and bonnets and sashes, and cotton replaced silk. Along with the new simple gowns was this idea of the Ancient world. Roman togas represented Roman government and spoke to the “people” of new hope and ideas.
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Apr 23, 2008 10:56:25 GMT -5
I wondered, because I'd seen that portrait of Marie Antoinette before. That was very enlightening--thanks Dawn. You are a fount of knowledge.
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Post by lauren on Apr 23, 2008 12:20:29 GMT -5
Thank you for the infromation :-) I love both of those portraits. I'm quite interested in the early Regency and I absolutely love the dress with the green sash :-)
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Apr 23, 2008 12:45:50 GMT -5
The hat is pretty spectacular too.
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