Lara Corsets & Gowns
Historically Accurate & Inspired Garments for Women
(Located across the Hudson from NYC in West New York, New Jersey.
Lara Corsets is a quick 15 minute bus ride from the Port Authority in NYC.)
By Appointment only please
1819 "Walking Dress" (Pelisse)
Fall 2007
Reproduction is based on the above 1819 Ackermann fashion plate. The descriptive text reads as follows:
"Walking Dress (1819)"
"A pelisse composed of kerseymere. The color is a peculiar shade of grey; it is lined in white sarsnet. The sleeve is wide and falls very much over the hand. The skirt is moderately full, meets before and fastens down on the inside. The trimming is composed of ruby-coloured velvet; it goes round the bottom and up each of the fronts. The epaulettes and cuffs correspond with the trimming. High standing collar trimmed in a similar manner. Headdress, a bonnet composed of ruby velvet, intermixed with levantine: the crown is made of folds of these two materials so disposed as to form a point at the centre; the brim is large and is finished at the edge by a rich roll of ruby levantine to which is attached a full fall of blond lace, set narrow towards the ears and broad in the middle of the brim. A high plume of ostrich feathers is placed upright in front. Gloves to correspond with the pelisse. Half-boots, the lower part of black leather, the upper part of grey levantine."
Pelisse was made of a Beige wool lined in white silk with trim of burgundy silk velvet with raspberry changeable silk taffeta poufs and piping. The pattern for the Pelisse was adapted from the patterns in "The Tailor's Friendly Instructor (1822)" by J. Wyatt and reproduced in the book Late Georgian Costume (ISBN 0-914046-12-8)
(The exquisite custom bonnet was made by Pam
at Victorianbonnets.com, I just dyed and added the feathers.)
Alexia (my life size dress-up doll) and I
in the gardens of Colonial Williamsburg, October 2007
This gown was custom and has been sold.
I do not duplicate my work, I would love to make you something similar if you like.
©2007 Lara Corsets LLC. All rights reserved.