Prints of Court Dresses

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject: Prints of Court Dresses

Hi everyone! I thought we could begin the Collections discussion by talking about the most recent one: court dresses. Here's the link: http://www.candicehern.com/collections/06/court_dresses.htm

I have always thought these Regency court dresses were totally ridiculous-looking with the hooped skirts and the high empire waists.

I'd be interested in your thoughts, after reading the collections article.

Thanks!

Candice

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:58 pm Post subject:

I'm kinda curious how they sat in those things. Because hoop skirts often raise up around the top. I can just see it now...a group of woman sitting in the corner of the ballroom and all you see is the top of their hats.

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:05 pm Post subject:

LOL! That's a great image, Haven. To tell you the truth, though, I have no idea how they sat in those things. Maybe I can lure my friend Tonda (aka Kalen Hughes) over here since I'm betting she can tell us.

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:16 pm Post subject:

Good plan. They look most uncomfy. And one swift draft of wind and your hoops would be around your neck. Acks!

Upstart Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 16

What an unflattering dress. The poor lady has absolutely no torso! Sad

Candice, in your article about court dresses you said that at no times did one turn their back on the Queen. I'm wondering if this strenuous protocol (walking backwards to ensure that at all times you were facing her) was required for all social occasions when the Queen was present.

Also, in regency romance Prinny is often mentioned in passing or as a speaking character. The princess, however, rarely appears in books. At least I've never read any where she is active in the plot. Did the monarchs not attend the ton's activities. No Princess Charlotte at Almack's?

Thanks,
nearhere

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject:

I believe the wide dresses were the reason for wide doorways...

And know you wouldn't be able to sit in one of those!

Though you could probably faint and be lain down what a funny picture that would make...

I love the ball gowns of the era...but my fav dresses are those featured in Dracula of course...Victorian with bustles!
_________________
I can only live wholly with you or not at all-Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the lands of spirits-Beethoven

Upstart Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Albany, NY

Oh those poor women! God, how did one use the bathrooms in those days with those hoops?

Upstart Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 16

I'm guessing you didn't... but how many people did it take to get something like that on and off? and how long did it take?

they look like bells with the white plumes in their hair and those crazy high wide hooped skirts.

do they have court dress before the Queen today?

Upstart Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Albany, NY

Oh good question NH! Do they still have the whole debuting thing, too?

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:58 pm Post subject:

Ely...

You could just put a chamber pot under the dress and squat....LOL...

Hey you asked...

Well haven't you ever worn a crazy dress where your girlfriends had to hellp you pee?????

I have!
_________________
I can only live wholly with you or not at all-Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the lands of spirits-Beethoven

Upstart Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Albany, NY

Luckily no not as of yet, Tiff. Smile

Upstart Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 16

Tiff, I've had to have assistance with tight leather pants. Does that count? And if I remember that night, I just didn't go unless I was dying and had to. There was a lot of planning involved.

Alas, this is a nice board and I won't go into details... I can't type that while looking at elegant Regency ladies.
Smile

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:39 am Post subject:

Upstart Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 16

I'll have to remember that when I debut before the Queen. Very Happy

My heart is still beating so I still have hope for this to happen! And to get my dignified title of the Countess.... (of Fraser?)
Smile

Viscountess of the Manor Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1100

Hoops are a hoot, but they don’t prevent you from sitting down, climbing into your carriage, or walking through a doorway. Why? Cause they’re collapsible. If you sit in a narrow chair they fold up accordion-style next to your body (though this wouldn’t be necessary when the hoops are in your armpits already, as these are). Same deal if you need to pass through a narrow doorway or into a carriage. You just fold ‘em up.

Most of the chairs these ladies might have sat in were armless, so there was no problem at all. The biggest problem with these late-Georgian court gowns was the train (and having to walk backwards with them, while appearing graceful; can you imagine?).

You can see how the hoops worked in one of the archives on my website (it’s a pdf so you have to wait for it to open). The first image is a set of large cane hoops from Germany, and you can see how they collapse:

http://kalenhughes.com/db4/00326/kalenhughes.com/_download/HoopedPetticoats.pdf
_________________
-Kalen
w/a Isobel Carr
Ripe for Pleasure, May 2011
Book 1: The League of Second Sons
www.isobelcarr.com