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Post by lastbloom on Oct 5, 2010 14:40:50 GMT -5
I was curious to know if anyone portrays people of the other social classes? I mostly see upper-middle and upper class sort of ensembles (which, admittedly, are more pretty and fun to wear). Is this mostly because of the sort of events most of us attend (balls, teas), or because most of the extant clothing, portraits, and plates all show fashionable clothing, or simply because "dressing up" is one of the best parts of this hobby (no shame there!)?
I've been poking around on wm. booth draper's site and have become fascinated by the descriptions of servants' clothing, and I'm just wondering if anyone has done more "working class" or even lower-middle class/tradesmen sort of ensembles. If so, where do you wear your grubby duds?
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Post by Eleanor on Oct 5, 2010 15:42:55 GMT -5
It could be interesting to do, but there would be some difficulties. If you get a group of people who all want to do it, then you could research lower class parties, celebrations, or get-togethers and put an event together. Or if you really wanted, you could be a servant at a ball or party, but you'd miss out on most of the activities.
I think one reason I'm drawn to the upper class impression is that I already live the middle class every day! :-)
With Regards,
Barbara
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Oct 6, 2010 2:25:02 GMT -5
I'm just wondering if anyone has done more "working class" or even lower-middle class/tradesmen sort of ensembles. If so, where do you wear your grubby duds? A couple of years ago we attended a "Shipwreck Ball", and a bit before that we ran the "Rout at Thieves' Kitchen", for which we dressed appropriately.  Rout at Thieves' Kitchen (2006) (The watch-fob is a bit excessive, but I needed to carry a time-piece since we were running the show.)  Shipwreck Ball (2008) One can just barely see my clip-on earring! (Goodness, small child was very small!) |
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Post by lastbloom on Oct 6, 2010 11:11:19 GMT -5
Great ideas, Lady B! I love your ensembles, Goblin. Both events look like they were a lot of fun.
I agree that working as a servant at a ball would lose some charm if one had to be segregated from the "party" in the true period manner...unless the Bon Ton were feeling especially democratic, or unless there were a fair sized group of the lower sorts who could put together a set or two for dancing "in the kitchen".
A friend of mine put on a regency dinner a while back and complained that he had a great deal of trouble figuring out how to get all of the dishes to table, and removed, etc. as no one wanted to be a servant!
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Oct 6, 2010 12:29:59 GMT -5
 Tara at the 2008 Winter Ball. I made that black gown in four hours. LOL... the apron bib is pinned to her front. She got full into the role, and would not speak openly to guests. |
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Post by lastbloom on Oct 6, 2010 16:30:22 GMT -5
She looks great! I'm amazed by your speed-sewing skill"z"!
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Post by dawnluckham on Oct 7, 2010 18:15:15 GMT -5
You won’t find a lot of the “lower sorts” at Jane Austen type events or dances. Let’s face it, people like to dress up and be pretty in order to participate in these things.
Where you will find some ‘honest’, though not exactly in all ways correct (think bad teeth, bad smells, etc.) is at living history sites and events. You will get people portraying servant class (and lower) at Napoleonic War, and War of 1812 events and sites related to these wars. Many of the living historians at these events are a well of information and they work hard to portray the dirt and the poverty, the class-structure and the hardships.
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bitsy
Shopkeeper
Posts: 10
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Post by bitsy on Feb 19, 2011 13:35:12 GMT -5
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Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen 