Dressing up in a Natural Form era Victorian ball gown

another one for the series, this time, a circa 1880 ball/evening gown! enjoy!
credits
Costumes and presentation
www.priorattire.co.uk
Photography:
www.timelightphotographic.com
Location
Hazel Hall, Silverdale,
Bath, Assembly Sooms
Photos of original cages and bustle pads:
Anton Priymak Collection
( he makes them too!
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Monsieur... )
Music:
Blue Danube by Strauss
The Waltz of the Flowers by Tchaikovsky
From KZbin Audio library

[@jtkesler164]

I know I have said something to this effect ages ago, but it bears repeating for your new viewers: Your consistent level of attention to detail, in all aspects of dress making from research to execution, never ceases to amaze me . I highly encourage anyone interested in historical sewing to check out more of this lady's work, she will blow your mind with her skills. I hope you are doing wonderful and staying well.

[@emmacarter6033]

Yes. It's even more impressive because she makes most of the clothes herself.

[@Danette2007]

I read historical romance. Lots of descriptions on the gowns....at the dressmakers, maids preparing the ladies, and then the ball with dancing. What’s hilarious is how fast and with expertise these “gentlemen” get the ladies out of the gown in the host’s library or garden. 😗😂

[@frost.bytten2023]

Fanfiction lemon au's are so much worse, but I love it.

[@MiljaHahto]

Well, in some videos she shows how fast many layers of skirts can be left in a heap... But frankly, they did not undress to go to toilet back then - it was not necessary. Or for some "undecent" actions either.

[@nancymyrawheeler2919]

My grandmother used to talk about how the evening gowns changed color under the old artificial lights. I think it was light blues and greens that gave the most problems. You needed to check the fabrics under different sorts of light.

[@kagamisorrows9306]

I still check my fabrics under different light (preferably sunlight), especially when trying to match fabrics.

[@taydoc8580]

Now all I can think of is a young lady trying to be flirty at a ball while opening her fan and accidentally throwing it😂

[@MrSpock..]

"maybe i need to eat less cake!" No, you're awesome how you are!! you definitely deserve cake for doing these amazing videos. much love from california!!

[@IGUniverse]

I love this new way of getting dressed. With the esplanation and all. And by the way i dont know why so many people still think that womena used to take hours and hours to get ready. She just took 20 minutes and she was even making some explatanions.

[@tamaragerasimova2405]

Not only the dress but your husband is a marvel!

[@cryptidvt]

Your rivalry with tiny buttons never ceases to amuse me. What stunning dress 😻

[@AudoricArt]

I love, love, LOVE how you're giving voiced commentary on your newer videos! It makes it really easy to listen while doing chores or other activities where I can glance at the screen as needed.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

The “mullet” bodice reminds me of a much smaller, pared back version of a mid 18th century Anglaise gown. Only with lacing at the back instead of pleats. And I do adore the Natural Form era. Likely because it’s one of the Victorian eras I can wear in a wheelchair. Crinolines and bustles just don’t work terribly well in wheelchairs, unfortunately. Which is why I usually wear Belle Époque and Edwardian styles as my daily wardrobe. I have nowhere to go, so no costumes as such. I make do with history bounding and just wearing it all on the daily. I also tend to go for basic or working class styles (because maids weren’t wearing crinolines), but that reminds me- I don’t think I’ve seen (or researched) working or middle class natural form dress. That might be a way to go for a future project....

[@farnorthweaver7793]

@Neartmhor ...You should check out Bernadette Banner's Channel, for "Middle Class", and natural dress form. She is wonderful and talented!

[@nisaba5752]

I love your post, thanks for sharing your ideas on which types of styles work & don't work in a wheelchair. I'm a wheelchair part-time,so I can relate. In terms of having nowhere to go, I can relate to that as well,and not just because of the pandemic. My disability, like many- involves a lot of pain,so I'm not socializing as much as I'd like. However, I *love* the idea of getting all dressed up...just to go to the freakin' grocery store!😁 I wonder if there are many silly folks like me who'd do that?? 😃😸 Whatever brings one *joy,* even if it's a smaller thing.

[@sylviecharlois1165]

I love that melodious rustle of silk taffetas, so beautiful ! And the "balayeuse" just cracks me up everytime (I'm french, so "balayeuse", "floor sweeper" in french, always makes me smile). And i simply adore that nice flick of the foot to push the train away, it's so deliciously funny, clever and useful ! Georgeous gown, such a lovely combination of colors, that pink is simply scrumptious !

[@annalisette5897]

Something people of today do not understand is that many fabrics, even some available early in the last century, could not be washed. Even if the wonderful washing machines and driers of today were available, these fabrics could not be washed. I am glad to see priorattire addressing how undergarments absorbed sweat and protected the costly outer fabrics. The dust ruffle under the skirt is particularly interesting. I always wondered how the long skirts and trains could have been worn, even for short distances, walking along or across streets covered with horse dung and worse.

[@vernaharris8730]

When my sisters and I found those old fans at second hand stores, we loved to play the coquette with them. You made me smile at the memory of the snap of the fan and the way it spread out and in with a quick movement. :D

[@jasonmack2569]

You have no way of knowing this but today is my b-day. So great to see one of my favorite KZbinrs showcasing one of my favorite eras of fashion. Thanks, you really made my day. Stay safe and much love from So Cal.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

Happy birthday!

[@jasonmack2569]

@@katherinemorelle7115 Thank you

[@mercidee1977]

I love seeing and hearing Lucas in your videos. He always looks and sounds so absolutely cheerful, like he's just having the most amazing time doing whatever he's doing at the moment. :)

[@honestcomments6060]

It is simply unbelievable how stunning you always look. Your gown, attitude, and general appearance take me (I feel like I was born a century too late haha) back in time. Simply amazing, as always.

[@surfandturfr]

What a stunning gown to have, I love it !! Now I see why all the ladies had dress maid's everyday back then. So many layers and trying to tie those corsets up by yourself isn't the easiest I'd imagine. You look amazing in the gown, so fun!

[@TheMarine2214]

I like the use of the flower

[@jdsteppenzyde]

The amount of work you put into these works of art is mind boggling. And I was able to debunk one of Lizzie Borden’s alibis, that she didn’t have enough time to change her dress, because of your proof it doesn’t take long to get dressed. Guilty, I say!

[@bethroesch2156]

Being able to dance like that with such a dashing partner is worth all of the work it took to get dressed ❤️

[@xXOpenYourHeart759Xx]

For a silhouette called "Natural Form" I chuckled a bit about the lengths they went to make it look natural, as there is so much unnatural about heavy fabric with boning to support it and maintain shape and keep it streamlined. It reminds me of how today when people go for a natural makeup look, they still end up putting on a lot of makeup to make it look "natural." Lovely video as always. I liked the informative bit about trains and dust ruffles. Very interesting.

[@Nikki-tx6kh]

I love the flowers covering the unmentionable.

[@lisawillis1237]

Nikki 😂😂😂

[@MissGroves]

You made me smile so much with the " must eat less cake!", I say that EVERY time I'm in late Victorian dresses XD

[@merindymorgenson3184]

MissGroves I giggles at that too!

[@tiamatmichellehart6821]

In the Nineties I saw a "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" magazine ad that claimed to break down the *hours* it supposedly took a Victorian lady to dress; here it takes *20 minutes with pauses for description and explanations!* .... I can't believe a *cigarette company* would *LIE* to us! ;)

[@johannageisel5390]

Oh, but it would be fun to extend it to a couple of hours. You start after a filling and tasty brunch. First you take a bath with rose petals, then you coiff your hair (or let somebody do it), then you put on your underwear and take tea. You listen to some music and decide on your jewelry and accessoires for the evening. Maybe an admirer drops by to bring you a bunch of flowers. Then you put on the gown and move around a bit, make sure that everything sits perfectly. You have another cup of tea. Finally you put on your coat and whichever outerwear you might need and let yourself be collected in a coach or horseless carriage by your dancing partner.

[@johnvonundzu2170]

That "You've come a long way, baby" cigarette ad campaign started back in the early 1970s. Smoke and be sexy - hah.

[@angelabarnhart367]

I love your videos I used to watch them with my mom before she passed away

[@nicolakunz231]

Listening to the yell of Lukas made me smile. I hope he enjoys watching her twirl around looking Lovely as much as we do.

[@cordiscoscorner]

Love the "flower blocker". LOL.

[@smileyginger1]

I am trash for purple and green 😍😍 stunning gown. I just can't wait to get my Victorian Dressmaker books!!

[@catvanburen2768]

Every time one of these videos has a clip or two from a ball my desire to find one of these types of soirées and attend grows exponentially

[@FlowerGemsGirl]

So lovely!!! Your videos always remind me of my favorite historical movies! Didn’t you know, dropping your fan at a gentleman’s feet was a sure way to start a conversation or get noticed by that gentleman! 😉😉😉 Of course most ladies used a handkerchief for that trick, but I think throwing a fan at a man was a matchmakers trick.😂🤣

[@beckstheimpatient4135]

She posted some instagram stills recently of her garments actually being used in movies/tv shows! She mentioned some dresses made for a movie featuring queen Victoria (can't remember the name of it), as well as Horrible Histories (in which she appears alongside Lucas!)

[@FlowerGemsGirl]

Rebeca Stanca, really?? That is so cool! My favorite movie of Queen Victoria reign is called Young Victoria, Emily Blunt plays Victoria in her younger life and up to the point she and Albert have their first child. It is a wonderful performance and some of the gowns could have come from this collection. I will check out that Instagram, thanks for the heads up on that!🤗

[@lizcademy4809]

Time travel ... not just the clothing, but the very idea of a social gathering such as a ball. :-) I hope this was recorded before plague times.

[@priorattire]

In 2016

[@jasminwechselberger35]

The natural form era has really one of the most beautiful silhouettes in history!

[@Raithization]

I plan on learning how to sew once I move out just so I can make things like this.

[@mckarrie1]

I could watch your videos for hours. Thank you for showing us the dancing!!

[@chloemariebaker9754]

9:47 the way she just kicks the train 😂💀

[@lone2234]

sometimes you just gotta do what's efficient XD

[@_Shonda_]

Thank you for showing the construction inside the skirt. Your gowns are just amazing to me. I have your book, and I love it. Thank you for the videos. :)

[@MargaretPinard]

And thank you for demonstrating the balayeuse! And solving the buttoned-up mystery of how trains ever survived a filthy floor! :)

[@lburgess63]

Especially love the bit about 10 minutes in where you casually kick the skirts around and out of your way. "She's done that a time or two!"

[@lizvanwessem2055]

something that struck me as you walked down the stairs was how much the colours in that dress reminded me of Egypt and the Egyptomania that occured at various points in the 19th century. While I realise your dress is a modern reproduction, were the colours you chose based on an original dress of the same style? It really is so evocative of Egypt, although I can't quite put my finger on what it is... Anyone else feel this? Beautiful dress - and dancing, but I think you'd be barred from Strictly for prior experience!! ;)

[@djahant]

I loved this so much! That has to be the most labor intensive gown I've seen with the ruching! You look so good from the undies to fully dressed!

[@azoe6764]

It looks like you're wearing my grandma's entire living room upholstered couches and curtains! I can't imagine the weight....I love your videos thank you

[@TruthQuest4700]

The presentation looks stunning! The visual weight of the ensemble appears more balanced with the flowers in the hair than without.

[@tayet6875]

The train handle is like taking a dog for a walk. Genius !

[@nikkia9506]

I love the perfectly positioned flowers.

[@labsareperfect]

It still blows my mind that in just 40 years womens dress styles changed so dramatically! That’s like looking back at 1980 from today and there would be nothing you could wear out in public.

[@rcamels3042]

I know, I always think the same thing! It almost seems as though fashion is in a way stagnating

[@xlenaqz]

Well actually 1980's fashion is kind of coming back, you can dress like then and people would think you got it from Bershka xd But think of the 60s and those super short psychedelic dresses with large white boots and very puffy hair xD You'd look ridiculous now

[@dewrock2622]

Amazing how they used to think about every little details those days, I could use a hook to keep my petticoats in place as well....

[@QueenCityHistory]

That color combination is stunning.

[@AnnaCMeyer]

The blonde fan lace on the gown is incredibly lovely 😍

[@annak1371]

This looks so fun! I would love to dress like this every day. As I recall, when I was around 14 years of age, I found one of those white under tops, but being that I had no previous knowledge of these things, I thought it was an outer wear top. I wore it around the house with out any adults permission. I put it right back where I found it after playing dress-up. So fun! My sister and I used to dress up in spare lace curtains that my Mom had in a box in a storage room of our house. We pretended to be Greek women from ancient times. LOL.

[@playme129]

I'm at a loss for words. The dress is amazing as is your skill. Virginia in Ohio, USA

[@twelvehundredmiles5330]

I would love to have a reason to dress up like this! Alas, I live in the middle of nowhere, North Dakota, where dressing up means a clean flannel and your nicest pair of jeans!

[@baron2739]

If you feel like that others in your area probably do too. Put the feelers out!

[@kerenvalentin9675]

Beautiful dress! I always feel I came from the Victorian era. When I watch you, it's more like a memory. Thank you for taking me back.

[@carolinemaluca]

We should dress like this (us who like it). The “crazy jumping fan” at the end was just 😄👌.

[@KnittingPasta]

The censor flowers are cracking me up

[@LaDivinaLover]

I know right!? I saw the comments before they started and I was like whaaaatt?? 🤔

[@priorattire]

Good

[@DipityS]

What a lovely gown - the rushing must have taken an age - it felt like putting one more layer on a wedding cake when you put on the outer skirt, which is such a good idea - to have two gowns with just the help of a over skirt. And the dancing was wonderful - thank you sharing that part.

[@wiggle_duck9063]

Sunningly elegant as ever! I particularly like the overlapping lace at the shoulder

[@timetravellingwardrobe8294]

OMG she is soo clever and wonderful :D I love everything about her...

[@plls2880]

This is awesome!!

[@jtkesler164]

Fabulous as always :) I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the period petticoat , I had to go full screen close up for that, and it was so worth it.

[@erinwester4339]

Another thrilling addition to Izabela vs. small buttons!

[@del1336]

How lovely! Beautiful gown, and lovely to see the dancing 😍

[@CarmenShenk]

Such a gorgeous ensemble! Thanks for sharing the process, you look gorgeous!! I love the sound the dress makes but was cracking up over the noise the stairs made. 😀😀😀 Also, you are a good dancer!

[@missbirdsmiles5387]

The sound of the skirt and petticoat is lovely! I recently bought a Victorian skirt (which I’m in the process of making a pattern from) and practically jumped for joy when I found the pocket. (It’s a pretty big pocket too)

[@helent5114]

Lovely dress. I think I'm going to have to get some silk taffeta just to listen to it rustling

[@brangwy]

Props for the fan pun at the end.

[@lrannagrey1050]

So what did you say with your fan? :) is there a hidden message in dropping it and letting your suitor pick it up? Beautiful gown!

[@theSpidermom]

This is one of my favorite dresses from you book, it is such a treat to see it in action!

[@Eric_s_Channel]

Oh no you got me singing... Meet me in St-Louis , Louis, Meet me at the Faaiiirrr!!!!! LOL Great Costume!!! I can't just imagine the amount of hours of work!!! cheers from Montréal!

[@SessaV]

I'm curious as to when they stopped using that type of glove. We were gifted a pair of silk ones in a champagne color that were our cousin's great grandmother's? We were guessing they were from the early 1900's, but now I wonder if they were older

[@MargotHypnos]

Queen Elizabeth II wore them in the 50 and 60's, and a think a shorter version today. General society is real posh would wear in the 1950's

[@SessaV]

@@MargotHypnos thanks! The gloves go up to the upper arm, and button at the wrist with 3 pearl buttons. I guess my great great aunt used to shop and put outfits together (basically was a fashion consultant) for wealthy women, we just don't know the time frame. Guessing early 1900's based on when my great aunt was born.

[@tessat338]

Long gloves - even now - are worn with short sleeves, thin straps or sleeveless evening gowns. Basically, the longer the sleeves, the shorter the length of the gloves. Gloves with evening clothes are meant for warmth and to keep finger marks off clothing while dancing. Gloves are NEVER to be worn on the hands while eating or drinking, by either sex, regardless of how costume designers dress people in movies and tv. Those little buttons at the wrist allowed the glove to be opened so the hand part could be slipped off while leaving the rest of the glove on the arm or for ease in putting them on and taking them off.

[@talosheeg]

Beautiful job Izabella!

[@MissDraiha]

Ahaha the flower. Love it!

[@ericacosta987]

Obsessed 😩😩😩 love this channel so much

[@Babbajune]

Just love the colors of this one. Its just beautiful! You look lovely in it! Thanks for sharing. ❤️❤️

[@bobbibuttons8730]

Absolutely beautiful thank you. I have decided to dip my toes into the world of corset making. I’m not sure whether I should try stays first. I really hope for a dual effect, to smooth my belly bumps, methinks I’d need a steel plate for that however I’m hoping for back support which is my main objective.

[@mimimatasar3699]

That's absolutely lovely, the colors are great on you!!!!!

[@danielependola1580]

Good Morning !! You have a big home !! J love your dress and the long gloves it's very elegant !!

[@creativechaos953]

Very beautiful gown!!!

[@Angie-GoneSoon]

I love, love, love your channel‼️💓

[@alshirley3444]

I could listen to you forever. You sound like a mix from South Africa, Ireland, Norwegian, York and Germany. I find you voice very soothing. Everything is better with pockets. Love the music selection

[@karynwallace8556]

That was great 👍 A Lady’s Maid ABSOLUTELY essential if you could afford to have one ! Loved the dress 👗 and the dance 💃 😍 NZ

[@ArtemisScribe]

Natural Form Ballgown: Bodice-lacing husband sold separately!

[@ginadelfina5887]

I love to study fashion history, and your videos are so helpful! They explain all the details I want to know about. Thank you!

[@siobhanmewes9881]

So lovely! Really appreciate the little peeks inside the garments too

[@frazzledhaloz3184]

I still can’t believe that women changed three times a day! Ugh! I love to watch these! Hugs

[@starthelotus3453]

Sometimes even more

[@JustHeAndMe7733]

Your dress is lovely! I really enjoyed your video. I'm subscribing. I loved the clips from the ball as well. Everyone liked so beautiful.

[@ThorneyRose]

Beautiful. Victorian elegance with 21st century attitude! Love it. 😁

[@annalisajames6558]

I am dying of envy. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@Moccason]

my initial reaction was: PocKeTs!?!?

[@katherinemorelle7115]

The Victorian ladies LOVED their pockets. A skirt wasn’t complete without at least one.

[@ripluigi]

Excellent video! Very informative and you are so lovely and funny, your energy just makes it for me! 🌸🌊

[@najah7781]

I love the little modesty-flower you put on the screen haha

[@jasminewadsworth6059]

I love your vintage classical style dressing channels if I was going to a nice wedding I would wear this style of dress but white trimmed in pink I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear simply lovely❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️

[@tiamatmichellehart6821]

Ah, the 1880s; my favourite Victorian fashion decade (what is it about the Eighties that makes them so great? ;)

[@bornontotrouble]

I adore natural form era gowns so thank you for uploading this!

[@snudder.s.m.l.5026]

I love that style of dresses.. 😀 🌹

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Without exaggeration, I'm in awe.

[@thearchivemermaid2033]

Would fly to England to act as maid just to get to see this in person.

[@Sofia-dp7uv]

I’m so happy I found this!!! My prom dress is styled like an 1888 ball gown

[@hopea7300]

Wow that corset is amazing

[@alee5375]

The colours were lovely! I particularly liked the hot pink corset-

[@yellowhatcreative9417]

I love all the pleating! And love getting to see how the dress moves.