Last night was the DA cocktail party at Laurel Hill, in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The Women for Greater Philadelphia, who own the house, put it on, and were absolutely tickled to see us. It was optional to wear period costume, but of course we heard about it and decided it was a perfect opportunity to dress up!
Typically, I got next to no pictures, but I defend myself that it's hard to hold a drink, a purse, a plate of tiny cakes,
and wrangle a camera all at once, while wearing gloves! I made sure to get a couple of my new dress, anyway.
Just a reminder as to what it is - it's loosely based on a c1921 dress in Bradfield's
Costume in Detail (what, get up and go look up the page? That sounds like way too much work), adapted to fit my materials. Which are sequin-embellished net (from Joann's. I KNOW), plain net for the sleeves, and a lightweight rayon lining for the slip. All machine sewn except for things like snaps.
And a note on wearing the thing for the first time - I love how the sleeves look, all drapey and dramatic, but OMG do they get caught on everything. Mainly the sequins of the dress, but up to and including a tree.
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| "Should I put my drink on that? It's probably 200 years old, so let's go with 'no'." [pic from Kat] |
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| "Ok, too dim in here for pictures. Let's get back to eating and drinking!" |
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| This one's from Isabella, of me gettin' my drank on. Also of my hair, which turned out less terrible than anticipated. |
But I did make sure to get a shoes shot. Ahh, priorities.
Just a reminder as to what it is - it's loosely based on a c1921 dress in Bradfield's Costume in Detail (what, get up and go look up the page? That sounds like way too much work), adapted to fit my materials. Which are sequin-embellished net (from Joann's. I KNOW), plain net for the sleeves, and a lightweight rayon lining for the slip. All machine sewn except for things like snaps.
Your dress was so pretty and I thought very dramatic with the sparkling gold and draped sleeves. You would have fit in perfectly in a party scene in Boardwalk Empire!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I like this one much better than my later 20s evening dress...so apparently I'm fond of the cankle length. Who would have suspected?? lol
DeleteGorgeous! And what an excellent venue! I keep bouncing around the idea of a Downton Dinner Party...just as an excuse to make a dress I'd have no other reason to wear!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love Laurel Hill - it's big enough for a good-sized party (or concert!), the drawing room is so pretty, and it's appropriate for anything 1760s-on, which includes a lot! I think a DA themed party is great - it spans enough years now that most people can find something they like. And it's a perfect excuse to bring out all the sparkly bits! :D
Delete(I'm way behind in commenting.)
ReplyDeleteLove that dress! So authentic-looking - you really hit the right aesthetic.
Thank you! I'm surprised at how much I liked wearing early 20s - but I guess that's why one should never say never in costuming! :D
DeleteIncredible photos. The gloves are gorgeous and you look very beautiful in the long dress. Paul
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