Spring Is Coming…Doucet Style

Spring is here and that means long sun-filled days, time spend outside, and of course, picnics. ♡ Below is a circa 1900-1903 afternoon dress from Jacques Doucet:

Doucet, Afternoon Dress, c. 1900-1903; Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009.300.579a, b)

This dress is constructed from a white silk chiffon with a printed lavender floral design and trimmed in horizontal bands of lace running up the skirt. Lace is also liberally used on the bodice in vertical stripes and a large centerpiece at the neck. Bands of turquoise silk velvet on the sleeves and a large turquoise silk velvet sash at the waist completes the look.  The term “afternoon dress” seems to have been used somewhat interchangeably with “lingerie dress” which describes dresses made from lightweight diaphanous materials such as lightweight linen, cotton, organdy, chiffon, and voile. This is just one example of a characteristic style of the first decade of the 20th Century. Stay tuned for more! 🙂


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A 1900 Moment

Enjoying a light and floaty 1900 moment with a new antique hat.  🙂

 

 

 



What’s On

The bodice is still pinned together, and I’m considering offering two different necklines, one could be worn with a guimpe…and there’s a different sleeve style for the tailored version. Stay tuned for more! 🙂

Close-up of the front.

Applying the lace.

View of the hem with a gold-colored petticoat peeking out from below.

 

 


A Little Sneak Preview…

What’s prettier than a colored silk petticoat? Showing it off! Hmmm, just a peek… 🙂

 

 


Working With Netting…

Antique net is being used as an overlay for an Edwardian waist, now I get to hand tack all those designs in place so it doesn’t shift!