Francaise Dinner Planning - Outfit Edition
I've been mulling over fabric options for my robe a la francaise for a few days, and since I'm having trouble making a decision I'm seeking your opinions. I've got a decent amount of silk in my stash, but only a few with enough yardage to make into a francaise. Here they are:
Gorgeous but almost certainly not historically plausible purple/black changeable silk. My pics don't really do the color justice...it's pretty amazing in person. Bonus points since I already have a plain petticoat made from this fabric, and so I'd just need to trim it and make the francaise itself from my yardage. My jewelry would really pop on this since it's such a rich, deep color.
Interesting pink/green changeable silk. This one's historically plausible, even if changeable silk was relatively rare in the 18th century. It isn't completely unheard of, and the two colors on their own are seen fairly often in portraits and extant clothing of the time. It'd be nice to find a use for this silk...its odd color has kept it on my shelf unused for several years now.
Lavender/light blue changeable silk francaise with pink silk petticoat. This is my least favorite of the options, but that's only because I've envisioned a matching francaise and petticoat. Kinda silly, but true.
Some musings on other elements needed for this outfit:
Gorgeous but almost certainly not historically plausible purple/black changeable silk. My pics don't really do the color justice...it's pretty amazing in person. Bonus points since I already have a plain petticoat made from this fabric, and so I'd just need to trim it and make the francaise itself from my yardage. My jewelry would really pop on this since it's such a rich, deep color.
Interesting pink/green changeable silk. This one's historically plausible, even if changeable silk was relatively rare in the 18th century. It isn't completely unheard of, and the two colors on their own are seen fairly often in portraits and extant clothing of the time. It'd be nice to find a use for this silk...its odd color has kept it on my shelf unused for several years now.
Lavender/light blue changeable silk francaise with pink silk petticoat. This is my least favorite of the options, but that's only because I've envisioned a matching francaise and petticoat. Kinda silly, but true.
Some musings on other elements needed for this outfit:
- Stays: I think what I have will work, but they're aging and will need to be replaced soonish.
- Panniers: I have one pair that's probably larger than I'd like for this event. Plus they're not collabsible, which makes packing a hassle. I've got a smaller set cut out, so I'll sew them up and cross my fingers they work for me.
- Stockings: White silk clocked, or red silk clocked from American Duchess. Red with the deep purple silk, white with the other options.
- Garters: I need to get working on these. atherleisure gave me a wonderful pattern. It'll be a good project for slow evenings at work.
- Shoes: I've got two pairs of American Duchess shoes, one black and one white. I could dye the white pair if I feel adventurous.
- Shift: Yep, I have a cotton one that'll work. Although I keep saying I'll remake my linen one and not doing it.
- Jewelry: I'm scouring eBay and etsy for good rhinestone/paste-look stuff. I'll also look at making some strung pearls myself. So, still sorting out my options on this one.
- Chatelaine/equipage: I'm going for it! I've been collecting bits and bobs to make this work for over a year, and I recently found evidence via portraits that they were, in fact, worn with francaise dresses! Check out my Pinterest board if you're interested.
- Wig/Hair: It's on this list, but I'm not sure exactly what I want yet. I'll be consulting Kendra's book this week!
- Outerwear: This wasn't even on my radar until m_of_disguise mentioned how cold it was last year. I've got a couple short cloaks, but something a little fancier would be nice.