Swiss waists are versatile little accessories from the mid-nineteenth century.
An 1860s Swiss Waist from My Personal Collection
La Mode Illustrée, May 14, 1865
Toilettes by Mme Bréant-Castel, 58 1/2 Rue St. Anne. Redingote of unbleached-linen-colored taffeta, with scalloped edges, trimmed with a thick piping of lilac taffeta; the redingote is open in front over an undergown of lilac taffeta, edged with a narrow box-pleated flounce; this undergown is not a full gown, and is made of two pieces … Continue reading La Mode Illustrée, May 14, 1865
La Mode Illustrée, April 1864
This plate, taken from La Mode Illustrée in April of 1864, shows four "novelties" available at the Magasins du Louvre in Paris.
“Much Depends on the Proper Display of the Contour”: Corsetry in the Early Nineteenth Century
I was so pleased to be asked to speak at the History Symposium this past month! It was a fantastic experience, and I strongly recommend that readers check out the rest of their offerings -- there are years' worth of presentations on all sorts of topics relating to the early nineteenth century, particularly the War … Continue reading “Much Depends on the Proper Display of the Contour”: Corsetry in the Early Nineteenth Century
What’s the Deal with the Great Male Renunciation?
This is a concept I've had issues with for a long time. I don't tend to think about it (as I prefer to think we've moved past it as a field), but a couple of weekends ago it came up in a paper at an event I was attending and I started trying to formulate … Continue reading What’s the Deal with the Great Male Renunciation?
Mimic of Modes 