Opinions & Advice.

[newtovintage]

Hello ladies, I need some opinions and advice on whether a certain style of dress would work with my figure.

. The above styles are something I am considering making for a Christmas outfit for a party. I didn't know if it would work with my pear-shaped figure (40B,36,49), so I need some opinions and advice from you wonderful ladies. The dress style is from the Regency era (ie, Jane Austen). I would appreciate all the comments and advice as soon as possible. I need to begin sewing it and all the accessories soon, because the party is in the second week of December. Thank you all in advance.
Sarah

P.S. I'm not sure if the pictures will work.

 

[Audrey Horne]

Sorry no advice but the pictures aren't working

 

[newtovintage]

Sorry about that. Tryhttp://www.cwrl.etexas.edu/~ulrich/19cdress/00s-20s.htm or www.janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com and go down to the fashion section on the right hand column, the compendium, and the 1800-20 pictures. If that doesnt't work I don't know what will. Sorry again.
Sarah

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

That URL is weird - it isn't working for me, but it *should* be working; I got to it in a roundabout way. Try this one:

http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~ulrich/19cdress/index.htm

http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~ulrich/19cdress/00s-20s/1805yellow-greenshotshilk.htm

http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~ulrich/19cdress/00s-20s/1822-3redingotepurpletaffeta.htm


Lovely choices! I think these styles would look perfectly fine with a pear-shaped figure. The empire waistline eliminates the natural waist, and the skirt flares out in a triangle...which is all a pear is, anyway! Of course, you won't look like the modern hourglass ideal, especially with the proper undergarments. But then, that isn't the point.

 

[Sunny]

High waists are good for most pear-shaped figures. They don't work for me. I'm a cross between a pear and an hourglass, but that's not why it doesn't work. It doesn't work because my "pear," if you will, shows in width and not, er, depth. A cross-section would be very much a flattened oval and not a circle. So empire waist gowns are thrown out of proportion. If you don't have very wide hips, though, an empire wiast should be fine.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I think you should wear what you like. It's the way you carry it that can make it look fabulous or awful, IMO. Not your figure.

 

[AmateisGal]

With my figure, empire-waists can work one of two ways - they can disguise my tummy or make me look pregnant! :eusa_doh: Regardless, I love the dresses of the Austen era, so I say wear what you love!

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

With my figure, empire-waists can work one of two ways - they can disguise my tummy or make me look pregnant! :eusa_doh: Regardless, I love the dresses of the Austen era, so I say wear what you love!

I agree - wear what you love. Some Regency outfits could make anyone look pregnant (to modern eyes, anyway), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't wear them!

 

[newtovintage]

Thank you all for your advice. I was planning on making the dress out of a beautiful, medium purple velvet, a bag out of black velvet, and a cape out of black as well. I want to be able to wear it for other occasions besides the Christmas party. I really love the styles from the Regency era. Jane Austen is my favorite authoress. I have full hips, but I don't think it will be a problem, because many of the women depicted in the actual paintings of that time have full hips and thighs, so I should fit right in. Again thank you. By the way would anyone know where I could find lace-up boots, similar to the style worn in the Regency, for winter I mean. Any thoughts?
Sarah

 

[Lauren]

I know these are technically Civil War, but I have worn these side lace boots for Regency.
http://www.robertlandhistoricshoes.com/servlet/Categories?category=1861-65+women's+shoes
They are straight soled so take some time breaking in.

 

[Miss Sis]

I was thinking of getting those boots for a Regency outfit too.

For one of our New Year parties we are having fancy dress and I am making a Regency dress. Don't think I'll manage to get the boots in time though. Glad to see I wasn't off track with choice of shoes.

 

[Sunny]

I know these are technically Civil War, but I have worn these side lace boots for Regency.
http://www.robertlandhistoricshoes.com/servlet/Categories?category=1861-65+women's+shoes
They are straight soled so take some time breaking in.

His black dancing slippers are just as accurate, too! It's a very basic style that hadn't changed much for decades, basically since the Regency.