What would the well dressed lady wear in 1776?
I'm back today to show you some of the gowns Alexandra and her friends might wear.
She would likely start her day with something like this handpainted silk. Isn't it pretty? The ruffles on the sleeves are only pinned in place so her lady's maid may easily replace them with fine lace ruffles if Alexandra chooses. She often does.
I'm back today to show you some of the gowns Alexandra and her friends might wear.
She would likely start her day with something like this handpainted silk. Isn't it pretty? The ruffles on the sleeves are only pinned in place so her lady's maid may easily replace them with fine lace ruffles if Alexandra chooses. She often does.
Here is a gown Alexandra might change into for dinner. The skirt is longer and forms a short train in the back. The hoops which hold it out on each side are called panniers. She might put her handkerchief into her pocket that's worn beneath her petticoat. She would get to it through well-concealed slits in a seam of her skirts.
I adore this pretty staw hat Alexandra might have worn during her walks in her garden.
This fabulous gown made of cloth of silver is what Alexandra wore for her wedding. She wore her gown with a stiff stomacher heavily embroidered in shades of blue on white silk. The bodice of her gown was pinned to the stomacher on each side. The sack back of her dress formed a court train. The train could be looped up and secured to the back of her gown by buttons cleverly concealed in the fabric. This made dancing at her wedding ball easier. Afterward, the very next opportunity she had to wear her gown was to the Queen's Drawing Room, held every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at St. James Palace. This was a command performance where she would have been presented to the queen, along with her brand new husband. This was expected of all newly married matrons in St. James District. In Alexandra's case, she had been married over a year before making her curtsey to Queen Charlotte at a Drawing Room. Read the first chapter of Dreams Within Dreams here on my website.
What can I say? Alexandra and her friends love hats. This girl wears them well, don't you agree?
Here are two more ladies wearing a different style hat. This style allows for their high-piled curls. Simply lovely!
Here's another lovely evening dress. Alexandra might have worn such a gown to dinner or an evening entertainment.
No, of course Alexandra wouldn't have worn this elegant gentleman's suit of clothing--but Richard might have chosen to wear it for dinner and evening entertainments. Even conservative gentlemen wore lace on their shirt cuffs sometimes!
Would you like to see a picture or two of Oakhurst? Of course you would!
Would you like to see a picture or two of Oakhurst? Of course you would!
Here is the dining room. The table holds twenty people for an intimate dining experience.
Here is the small sitting room. Alexandra's pedal harpsichord sits at the other end of the room.
This is Richard's study. It seems a cozy place to do the plantation's business. Does it not?
I hope you'll join Richard, Alexandra and me again soon. And thank you for coming. I've enjoyed your visit.
I hope you'll join Richard, Alexandra and me again soon. And thank you for coming. I've enjoyed your visit.