Opinions on Victorian silhouettes

[Penny Dreadful]

Oh!! I dabbled in this a bit last year and have spent years dressing somewhat Victorian. I think the late bustle not only looks the most appropriate, but is the easiest to do. You can easily make a vaguely half-moon shaped pillow with ties to go around your waist, and it's amazing how shelf-like it looks. When I made my own I had to take stuffing out four times before it wasn't too big. Wear it over a small-medium sized crinoline and it's perfect, not even hard to sit on. You can get some lovely things at www.retroscopefashions.com, Etsy and Clockwork Couture.

 

[Gracie Lee]

Mmmmm... Victorian Something about it appeals to the neat freak art and history lover in me. I've been collecting antique clothes (Victorian, not vintage) since I was 12, and I love getting all dressed up in a corset and bustle. I'm with Lauren - Truly Victorian patterns are the best, bar none. They are also extremely easy to adapt to whatever purpose your heart desires. Whenever I work one up, I find myself wishing every other pattern maker on Earth used her sizing method. And if you want to make your own corset, hers is the easiest and best described I've ever found - completely demystifies the whole process