The Start of an 1890s Journey

 I know many of the people who read this blog will have come here because they know me as either friend or family.  They will know that I have a degree in history and for the last several years, I've been working as a museum professional and spend quiet a lot of my time dressed in my own late 18th century clothes, teaching people about life in the American colonies, the War for Independence, and the early United States.  I make quite a lot of my own clothing for that work, so I am resemble a woman working and living in Virginia in the last quarter of the 18th century (c. 1770-1800).

Why, then, am I embarking to create an ensemble of clothing for the 1890s, almost 100 years apart from my "usual time"?

First of all, while my professional life is focused on the 18th century, I am under no such obligations to always keep myself there in my own time outside of work.  I've long enjoyed studying the history of clothing and fashion in tandem with other aspects of history.  It seems a shame to limit myself to a 20 year section of history when there's thousands of years of clothing styles to explore.  Studying the 1890s is almost like a palate cleanser in a way.  In many ways it is remarkably different than the clothing I am used to making and wearing for work.  However, it is still a period in which fashion depended on supportive undergarments like corsets and padding, much like the 18th century, and I'm looking forward to learning more about how that can be played with to create shapes with clothing.

Second, I have a great weakness for Victorian aesthetic.  I have always had a soft soft for the 1880s and 1890s silhouettes and styles and have wanted to try wearing it since I was still a child.  After building up my own arsenal of sewing skills, I'm now at a point where I can make these items for myself and really do them justice.  Plus, through my 18th century work, I've learned to become very comfortable wearing "odd clothes" and with the year that 2020 was, honestly if I want to wear some great 1890s fashion, why not?  

I debated with myself a bit over whether I wanted to faithfully recreate (as much as possible) period clothing as I would for my 18th century work clothing or to make 1890s-inspired clothing (drawing from style elements but not necessarily using period patterns).  I've decided that I want to do the whole shebang.  I'll start with the undergarments (chemise/shift, drawers, petticoats, corset, etc) and work my way out to the skirt, blouse, and possibly a jacket.  While I endeavor to make most of these things myself, to continue to improve my sewing, there will be some things I will undoubtedly purchase from others (like shoes and stockings, and any jewelry I might pick up).

My goal is to have this ensemble done and wearable by Halloween 2021.  I find that setting a due date for myself is the best way to ensure things get done in a timely manner, even though I am not planning on wearing this to any event in particular.  This project will be fitting in around commissions I'm already working for other people- mostly things I am spinning and knitting- so I will be sharing some of those as well, to keep things interested when I'm not able to be in the 1890s.

Tune in next time for me to talk more about the research and planning of a project like this!

This is a possibility for the kind of ensemble I will have when I am done.
(Gertrude Stevens Kunhardt in hat with veil, watch chain at waist; https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/cf95jg76w)