Spiffing Up the White Regency

[nuranar]

So I have this plain white Regency gown, the handsewn one. Because it's a fairly close copy of one of Lizzie's gowns in P&P2, it's pretty plain. Long sleeves with buttoned wristbands, back buttoning, gathered bias-cut front, slightly train.

To go with it I have green Robert Land shoes, and the coral necklace rvqavalon gave me, which ties with a ribbon.  Also my white bonnet, but I might not take that.

msmcknittington suggested a demi-corset, which would be all kinds of fantastic. I've got a piece of dark red taffeta in the stash. Though it was bought for an 1860s bonnet, which I still want to do; might depend on how much the demi-corset uses. Probably very little. I also have the very last half-yard of dark blue from the Fabric.com silk taffeta madness. There's also the open robe option, although I'm not sure my white dress is full enough. It's pretty flat across the front, not very 1790s. Anyway, I could probably use the demi-corset for the Georgian picnic. Provided it's not snowing or something. (j/k - we don't get snow in November!)

What I think I'm going to do for now, though, is some kind of ceinture en rubans - belt of ribbons.  It's faster, easier, cheaper, and I'm not sure I've ever seen it done.  Because it's not merely a belt at the waist; the ribbon is wrapped around the upper body and shoulders in some really interesting patterns.  There are lots of variations, all shown from the back.


Some used plain ribbons, in simple to more-complex styles.








Some used fancy ribbons or fabric, either simple or elaborate in style.



This is one of my favorites. It has to be sewn - I can only get a single piece of ribbon to do it by wrapping the front waist a total of four times!





Two that I found were of velvet, both outliers in time. Whereas the ribbon ones date from 1807-1810, one velvet is 1806 and the other 1812.

This velvet ceinture is clearly sewn, not just tied.


This one is the only one I've found that shows the look from the front. It's is a simpler ceinture, showing in front only around the waist and arms. I'm pretty sure some designs curve up around the bust. That is a classical/faux classical effect that fits with the earlier years, but not so much by 1812.
  


I have some favorite looks, but kept coming back to this one. I love the look of the matching shoes, ceinture, and bonnet, and the X of the ceinture with the sash is really cute to me. 




So I bought 10 yards of 1" wide green silk ribbon to match my shoes.  I'm instinctively anti matchy-matchy because of the 1860s; but 1800s/1810s fashion plates show a whole lot of matchiness!  I need to quit mixing it up and go for a more harmonious look. I think I will also tie short lengths of ribbon over the wristbands of the sleeves. I didn't find exactly that look in a fashion plate, but there were some ribbon ties on shorter sleeves.

Then there's the necklace. I thought about replacing the blue ribbon on the coral necklace with a green one. Or how about hanging the scrimshaw pendant Bro. No. 1 and ladylilac12 gave me on a green ribbon? I'll be wearing the coral with my 1770s indienne print anyway.

And finally, headwear. I'm frankly scared of taking my nice white hemp bonnet, and not excited about trying to pack it besides.  Plus it's beautifully trimmed, but in light blue and pale yellow. Won't do a thing for this dark-green-and-white scheme I've got going on.  Would some kind of headscarf/wrap thing be appropriate for daytime? I've looked at a thousand fashion plates in the last couple days, just for ceintures, and my eyes are crossing. :p