How to Dress in an 18th Century Robe a la Polonaise - 1770s

Join me in the 1770s as I show you all the layers that go in to getting dressed in the fashionable 18th century Robe a la Polonaise gown. In this video I start in just a shift, stockings, and shoes, then show how to lace the stays (corset), wear 18th century pockets and skirt supports, put on the petticoat and gown, and finally top it with a very fashionable Marie Antoinette style hat.
The Robe a la Polonaise was the trendy gown of the 1770s. This interesting type of Rococo dress consisted of a gown cut all-in-one at the back like a man's frock coat, and worn with a false waistcoat in front, sometimes sewn in and sometimes a separate garment (mine is sewn in). The polonaise was typically worn over a matching petticoat.
FAQ:
* This gown is made of pink shot silk taffeta, giving a slight iridescence. It is trimmed with silk organza. Dress diary here: bit.ly/2YSUO7b
* This gown is pieced with pink cotton in the back of the petticoat, the sleeves, and the beneath the silk organza ruffle on the petticoat. Piecing was a common and expected 18th century practice.
* This gown is completely hand sewn. While the Robe a la Polonaise does not appear in the book, techniques for hand sewing similar gowns and petticoats can be found in The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking here: bit.ly/2LhwX95
* The stays are bones with plastic zip ties, which mimic baleen whalebone.
* The shoes are "Dunmore" in black wool by American Duchess. These are no longer available, but many other 18th century styles are: bit.ly/3cntBNL
* The stockings are over-the-knee silk clocked stockings available here: bit.ly/2YSULs3
* The shift is made of 100% linen.
* The split bum was made for the book "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking" which you can buy here: bit.ly/2LhwX95
* Here's a video on how I did my hair for this shoot: • How To Do A 1770s Hedg...
Music in this video is from Epidemic Sound
"What Once Was" by Gavin Luke - www.epidemicsound.com/track/V...
"Life on the Mainland" by Infiniti Ripple - www.epidemicsound.com/track/d...
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#18thcentury #historicalcostume #marieantoinette
0:00 Introduction
0:09 Start with a shift stockings and shoes
0:20 The underpetticoat goes on before the stays
1:04 A bodkin (a large blunt needle) is used to lace the stays
2:43 The split rump was the fashionable skirt silhouette of the late 1770s
2:49 It's perfect for the polonaise style and accentuates the puffs of the skirt
3:02 A separate, large pocket ties on to the side
3:24 The top petticoat matches the gown fabric and trimming
3:36 The petticoat is open at the sides to access the pockets
3:54 This petticoat is pieced in back with a cheaper fabric, a common practice
4:31 A neck handkerchief fills the neckline of the gown
5:06 The gown is a Robe a la Polonaise a very popular style in the 1770s
5:32 The false waistcoat is pinned at center front
5:44 The boned stays and stomacher keep the pins from poking through
5:58 Pinning gowns made them adjustable for changing sizes
6:23 a breast bow finishes the look
6:53 Hats were both fashionable and sun protection

[@kissmekate14]

Love "getting dressed" videos. 1) shows how to get into all those pieces you have just spent months making 2) proves it didnt take 4 hrs to get dressed lol

[@AmericanDuchess1]

exactly!

[@orionhenrik3439]

instablaster

[@alaineneuburger2830]

Normally I'm not a fan of super pink and lacy dresses, but man, history knew how to make it look good!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

I usually go more for structures, tailored garment too, but sometimes a frothy confection is just the thing :-)

[@user-nr9yq2ri7b]

@@AmericanDuchess1 you may be surprised but for many centuries pink was considered a manly colour, suitable for boys.)

[@renlish]

It has always amazed me how the hemlines rose and fell over the years. This was so pretty!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you!

[@jennhill8708]

Mom always said that in modern times, hemlines were affected by war. Shorter following war/victory , longer during the War.

[@jennhill8708]

I adore the practicality of petticoats. Lose weight, tie tighter, gain? Let your ties be a bit loose. You could accommodate pregnancy, too.

[@jennhill8708]

I adore Polonaise styles.

[@LadyB_20]

Applause for the lady getting dressed without a hand. Usually ladies would have assistance with the gowns that would make dressing easier. All of those lovely layers create the iconic silhouette.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

In the Victorian period, when many things laced in back, yes, but most 18th century clothing closed in the front like this. The Georgians were quite practical!

[@sorinastefan5631]

When she pondered which hat to chose then smiled at the camera and chose the white one ngl it was such a sweet moment i got teary.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

aw thanks!

[@persiswynter6357]

The gown is lovely! And I second the request for a "How to Pin Your Bodice Closed" video.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

I'll get right on it!

[@jennhill8708]

This is why wives were always needing “pin money”!

[@jennhill8708]

That looks gorgeous on you. The color brightens your look; delightfully becoming!

[@mahsajoker3833]

This gal is making us ready for time traveling😅

[@charlottegury1243]

I never know how to pin the front of gowns effectively, do you have any advice!!!! Also, you look stunning!!!!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

I'm not all that great at it but I'll try to do a video showing how to pin the front edges. It's easier to show than tell, but to try to explain it, you go horizontally rather than vertically.

[@amtmannb.4627]

I love the hairstyle and the details on the sleeves. Very elegant. I'm coming more and more in the period.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@FlybyStardancer]

Love it!! Amd it’s amazing to me... things tbat today we would assume or try to make all attached as one garment, they would instead have as separate pieces. I could see a modern-constructed dress have the boning in the bodice, all of the skirts attached to each other and the bodice (with under petticoat as a free-hanging lining to the outer petticoat), all of the trim like that contrasting bow attached... just how my brain works lol But separates is a better idea for cari g for them and adding variety to the styles.

[@mastersnet18]

FlybyStardancer yea it was far more practical to have everything as separates. That way laundering was easier and you could mix and match the items to have many different outfits. If everything was sewn together you would have only one outfit. This way you could have dozens of different outfits.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

mix and match, like Mastersnet points out, does expand the wardrobe and in the 18th century there were lots of jackets and separates. Even with gowns you could switch out a petticoat and accessories for a different look. It kindof ebbs and flows through history, too - in the Victorian period you get separate bodices and skirts often hooked together at the waist. In the Edwardian and 19teens there are "illusion" type dresses kindof like you're describing, where you have layers but they're all sewn together as one garment. The system of hooks, eyes, and snaps to get in and out of some of those early 20th century dresses could be quite elaborate!

[@margaretmyres5626]

Love dressing videos you learn so much about the layers that way. That color looks lovely on you.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you!

[@efjeK]

Gotta love the high hair and hat! Makes her about a foot taller!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks! the big hair and hat balances out the volume of the gown

[@zaphodfrobisher8722]

The dress is gorgeous and the number of details we learn about the structure of the dress simply by seeing it like this is amazing! Thank you very much for those videos!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you so much 😊

[@tamarakindle73]

I just love these videos brings to mind how easy and quick our clothes of today are. Sometimes I think I would like to go back to that time but in reality probably not too much to deal with!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

it was just everday clothing for them, though. This type of gown - the polonaise - was very informal "daywear," and was considered "dressing down" compared to something like the more formal Robe a la Francaise to wear to a court function.

[@sueroberts6193]

❤ so beautiful and relaxing to watch. I am 66 now, but can remember my Gran, born 1900, always wearing her stays up until her death at 87! Miss you May Eliza ! ❤

[@alaura3528]

I love this look! My favorite time period by far!!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Yay! Thank you!

[@jennhill8708]

Such FUN! You look like you're having a blast, Lauren!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you!

[@grukarndy]

I love this gown! That frosted pink is amazing, and you look fabulous!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you so much!

[@TimesmithDressHistory]

Just lovely. I vaguely remembered this gown from your blog but had forgotten about the piecing in the sleeves. I've just spent an enjoyable 20 minutes re-reading your account of all this went together. A Polonaise is on my list... peering at one in the CW collection with Brooke whetted my appetite, but there are so many other things above it on my list right now! Maybe next year...

[@AmericanDuchess1]

It's that "too many gowns too little time!" feeling. There are still so many styles I've never made...feel like I've gotten stuck in a rut with 18th c a little bit, so making an effort to explore the more unusual stuff (the volante, for instance). You'll love the polonaise although it's a different thought process, for sure, and no two surviving polonaises are the same!

[@thefolktalefox5960]

I adore this outfit. I was just thinking about trying my hand at stays. I have made corsets but I wanted to try something from the 1780s. I'm curious as to what fabric you used for the ones you are wearing. I love the pattern on them!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you! I used an upholstery cotton for these particular stays. The interlining and lining are tight-woven, medium weight linen, which is a fantastic foundational fabric.

[@thefolktalefox5960]

@@AmericanDuchess1 Oh thank you! That gives me a bit more reference for what I'm looking at. Thanks!

[@magdahearne497]

I think stays would be great... my posture is terrible lol

[@NicoSmets]

Fascinating.

[@apprentie_costumiere]

These videos are so relaxing to watch. There is also so much learning on the layers added and there is such a great variety of style! Thank you for this lovely video ^^

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you for watching :-)

[@denisemorgan3469]

I absolutely love robe a la polonaise 🥰🌻 currently making one for myself it is quite a challenge but all the work definitely worth it 💪🏻😊

[@AmericanDuchess1]

excellent! they are indeed a challenge, but really interesting gowns!

[@christieintexas]

I love watching your videos. They are truly so educational not to mention, the dresses are so lovely. It seems like so much work to put everything on however, in the end it's so rewarding. Gorgeous dress!! ❤

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you so much!

[@Madeleinewith3Es]

Heyyy, I remember reading about that gown! And now I'm excited all over again to finally get to making my own polonaise, once I get my underpinnings finished! (whipping together stays panels is haaarrrdd and my hands hate me, but the Augusta Stays pattern goes together like a dream, and I'm making my under petticoat and accessories from the book!)

[@AmericanDuchess1]

excellent! Yes, the stays are definitely the most hand-aching part. Everything after those will feel like butter :-)

[@mnels5214]

Love these videos!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you!

[@khadijaaghazade7795]

I love these educational videos!!!!! The whole process and look is very well explained, and the dress is marvelous!!!!!! You look ravishing in this gown and the pink suits you so much❤❤❤❤ hope that there will be more similar wonderful videos coming out😊

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you so much!! The next one shall be a 1760s robe a la francaise :-)

[@danielleheredia2008]

This music is so calming.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

I'm glad you like the music. I really enjoy these tracks too

[@hanaanharith3496]

Fascinating!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks!

[@user-nr9yq2ri7b]

It is interesting that the petticoats of that century were not too long, allowing comfortable walking.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Yep, they were even called "walking length"

[@kamelyacevedo8138]

Gorgeous

[@magdahearne497]

Thank you for sharing! I love the colour, you look so pretty in it. I can only imagine the gentlemen of the period loved this fashion as there was a little more ankle on show for them to ogle 😉😎 I have wondered previously how comfortable the boned stomachers are to wear, especially when dining 💖

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Hi Magda - thanks! corsets/stays/shapewear definitely discourages over-eating and I don't recommend carbonated drinks. It's also much more recommended to put the corset on first before eating a meal.

[@CFinch360]

You are adorable and this was quite educational and interesting.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you!

[@mssinocent]

I love the music in this video..

[@staffanlindstrom576]

Beautiful!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@katitadeb]

Can't wait for a "Chemise a la Reine" video

[@claudialorenasanchez6477]

Hermosa! Me encanta! Extraño esa época y sus vestidos.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

gracias!

[@crazygarnett]

Great video. Would love to see more about the jewelry of this time and how it matched dress styles.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

check out Dames a la Mode!

[@richardharrop9482]

Awesome!

[@dianamarquez4774]

I've made simple polonaise gowns and love this style. I didn't sew the corset nor the pockets. Corsets take a lot of time but someday I hope to complete one. Fun video.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks!

[@janehollander1934]

Tucking in the neck handkerchief, like that, always reminds me dressing in my 'Dirndl' [traditional Austrian folklore dress] for work. As I would tuck in my silk triangle double scarf with long fringes, like that. You look😍 stunning in your creation 👌🏻. Bet the black bonnet looks pretty as well.💞

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you!

[@redheaddetective8424]

I was in a production of Dangerous Liasons years ago, and our costumes were custom made. This was exactly how we got dressed. I loved those costumes!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

awesome!

[@janicesapp184]

very pretty

[@tinagriffith841]

Pretty in pink💖

[@AmericanDuchess1]

I not-so-secretly love pink but hardly ever wear it

[@varshasrivastva8554]

You look so stunning while smiling.a lots of love from India.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

😊 thank you

[@nicoledeloncrais5940]

Seriously Lauren, you really are a rock star!!! My new motto is ""Don't stress go sew!"" I just finished cutting out 2 lots of your patterns and am grateful to you both for sharing and leading us through the mine field. Also I am sharing the inspiration with my family and friends. Thank you This is a great opportunity to dig into our past and find someone who lived in the last half of the 17th century in our family history and then bring them to life by learning how they dressed. It is a great way to bring families together and for us all to have a day/ weekend in the life of as a family. This way it is deeply personal because it is our ancestors/ real people that we can learn about. Our British/ Dutch / Scotts etc, understanding how these women and children lived. Thank you for the inspiration... Love your work! You girls could consider the family history organizations, they do events and all sorts.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you so much! I am so with you on exploring family history through dress. There's nothing quite like putting on all the layers of clothing a long-ago family member may have worn and then going about your daily business. It brings up all kinds of other interesting realizations around our modern world and everything in it - cars, bathrooms, furniture design, etc - being made exactly for us and the clothes we wear today. I really enjoy that rabbit hole and I'm glad to hear you're tumbling down it with gusto as well!

[@cap4life1]

Love the motto!

[@user-j_6]

Beautiful

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you :-)

[@amellialadd2710]

Pretty wears

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks

[@femketjeNL]

That is one fabulous outfit

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks!

[@GiulyInWonderland]

Fashion: How many ties do you want around your waist? 18th century lady: Yes Honestly, I love your work

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Gotta keep that stuff on somehow, and ties are adjustable, lol.

[@GiulyInWonderland]

@@AmericanDuchess1 OH I know, it's a very efficient way to keep clothes adjustable. It's just amazing how such beautiful garments work with such simple ideas at their base!

[@matrixiekitty2127]

I do wish modern fashion prioritized pockets and being adjustable to your weight as much as older fashion did! It would make life so much easier!! I also hadn’t known before that stays had posture helping straps!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

yes, that's quite a thing and is discussed a lot in our community. The muggles tend to think our ancestors were stupid or uncomfortable all the time, etc., when in reality they were very savvy with their clothing.

[@sorachi295]

My passion and love for the 18th-century dress are what brought me here. Unfortunately, I have no idea how and where to get the under and outer garments such as the ones featured in the video. Very nice video.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you, and welcome! For the undergarments, I highly recommend RedThreaded for stays. You can also get the chemise at Samson Historical. Most of the outer clothing is made by costumers themselves, but there are costumers who will make on commission - you can find them on Etsy. :-)

[@kathleens6837]

I love the attention to detail. So lovely. Do you have an online resource for fabric? I would like to use natural fibers but can only find maufactured poly locally. I am working my way through your Simplicity patterns and studying your book as I brush up on my sewing skills. Love you Gigot Gang.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Yes! I highly recommend Burnley & Trowbridge and Renaissance Fabrics for historical textiles. They both really know their stuff and have great selections.

[@louiselill1528]

you look stunning

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks!

[@mandycook9037]

Again I love the shoes they could easily be worn today

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you! we have many ladies who do indeed wear them on a daily basis :-)

[@DocAcher]

Dear American Duchess, I _adore_ your channel! The clothes you make are so fascinating and beautiful! Would you ever consider making a man's frock coat from this period (loosely 1780's, I suppose)? Or a ladies coat that's similar? I wanted to try to make one myself, but haven't had any luck finding the right kind of pattern. I love how much the skirts of the coat flare out. 😁

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thanks! I've made a man's frock coat before, years ago. I used the JP Ryan patterns and Simplicity "Pirates of the Caribbean" patterns. I do love men's tailoring from this period, and really want to make more riding habits and redingotes.

[@marciedemangos2205]

Lovely shoes!!! Where are they from? . . . . I'm kidding! 😂 What a beautiful video! I used to not really care for the later half of the 18th century but it's so much fun how could you possibly hate tall, floofy, intricate hair and beautiful cupcake gowns? You look like you stepped right out of a fashion plate!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

lol! aw thank you! I'm venturing into early 18th century with the next project...uncharted territory! but I'm excited :-)

[@marciedemangos2205]

@@AmericanDuchess1 Oh how exciting! Leaping into the unknown is the best kind of fun!

[@jennhill8708]

American Duchess oooh, early 18th C! Drool!

[@olgayupashevskaya7804]

Спасибо от души! Очень интересно.

[@n2veins]

Lovely and again, a joy to watch, beautiful gown and how scandalous to see you ankles! LOL

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you! The ankles were quite a delight in the 18th century - clocked stockings (the design on the side of the stocking) and very fancy shoes with sparkly buckles. They were definitely meant to be seen ;-)

[@DaisyL50]

wonderful woman

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you

[@cassieward1536]

Love this!, what kind of pins do you use to pin your gowns?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

regular ole steel straightpins - they come in different lengths/sizes and I use the larger ones.

[@Callmecaresse]

Love these types of videos! I'd love to see a close up of the pins (perhaps in a future video). I am not sure what kind to get. I know "dress pins" but I can't seem to find what I think is right. Also, it would just be fascinating to see up close!

[@ElizaArika]

I think it's just plain flat steel head pins

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Yup, I'm getting that request a lot so it's a must-do. The type of pins I use are just regular ole steel straight pins with the flat heads (not the colored balls) that you can get at any craft store.

[@Callmecaresse]

Thank you! Someone else told me that they were different pins! This is good info. Can't wait for your next video 😊

[@Callmecaresse]

@@ElizaArika thank you ❤

[@silviyam.9275]

I really enjoyed watching this and I always wanted to see myself in this kind of dresses.. can you advice me around how much it cost you? ❤️

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Hi! Hrm, that's a good question. Silk taffeta usually runs between $20 - $25 a yard, and for a dress like this I recommend 4 - 5 yards of 60" wide just to make sure you have enough. Organza for the sleeves and ruffles is pretty cheap - $5-8/yard and you need only 1 - 3 yards depending on how much rufflage you want and how wide. I like both silkbaron.com and renaissancefabrics.net for fabrics.

[@jaisanrobb3520]

Pretty as a picture. You look like you stepped out of a portrait!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

high praise! thank you!

[@Em-sq6hm]

I love these getting ready videos! I was wondering if in your time of studying 18th century dress if you’ve come across dresses that used hooks and eyes as closures in the front instead of pins?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Hi! Yes, there are gowns that have hooks and eyes. It's sometimes tricky to identify if they were original to the gown or Victorian additions (the Victorians loved to use 18th c. gowns as fancy dress costumes), but there are at least a couple examples that are noted as having original hooks and eyes. Buttons were also a method of front closure. Having used all three - pins, buttons, and hooks/eyes - I greatly, greatly prefer the pins because we never lace our stays exactly the same way from day-to-day, and changing body shapes, weights, even on a really small scale, affects how a gown will fit. Pinning makes it adjustable whereas the fixed/sewn on closure don't.

[@Em-sq6hm]

@@AmericanDuchess1 Thank you so much for letting me know!

[@user-dw1op3cb6b]

Какое милое платье. Оно конечно не для больших выходов, оно для луга, для забав. Оно вам удивительно идёт. Вы просто милая пастушка с акварели XVIII века.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thank you!

[@sharonlaparry775]

I love watching these videos. I think everything is so lovely but as a post menopausal woman, I am so thankful that I do not have to wear all those layers. Lol. Also, has anyone ever told you that you favor the actress that plays Aunt Jacosta in the Outlander series? I think there is a definite resemblance.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

aw thanks!

[@dacotahweisenburger1982]

Beautiful. Exactly what kind of fabric is the white flowy hem/trim, and where would one get it?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

that fabric is silk organza and is available lots of places. My faves are Dharma Trading Company and Renaissance Fabrics.

[@debbralehrman5957]

This looks so lovely. Is the hair style done in the Hedgehog updo?🦔

[@AmericanDuchess1]

yes it is!

[@michellevandenberghe9533]

Ces robes sont somptueuses...mais quel plaisir nous avons aujourd'hui de bouger librement dans nos vêtements et qu'elle facilité d'entretien... Il faut reconnaître que la robe " à la polinaise" est plus sobre que la robe à la française.

[@user-bv6fu6ez3d]

Красиво!🤗

[@marybeth406]

😍 I’m curious about the front pinning...why not buttons instead? Just the fashion to have a smooth front?

[@mastersnet18]

Mary Elizabeth this allows for changing body size: weight gain, weight loss, and pregnancy. It would have been far too impractical to have to sew a new gown every time your body changed in size.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Mastersnet is right - changing body sizes. It makes the gowns very adjustable. That being said, buttons and hook/eyes are also historically accurate, just not as common as pinning.

[@fjdyyh2542]

Lovely

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thanks! They're just normal steel flat-head pins

[@fjdyyh2542]

@@AmericanDuchess1 how they stay in place :o

[@Alexxxfox]

Like!

[@kittykanzashi82]

Could I ask how you secure the shoulder straps onto the stay front? It looks like you hook them on.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

yes, that's right! there are hooks on both sides

[@kittykanzashi82]

@@AmericanDuchess1 I see. So you just hook the strap onto the hook without making a hole first? What are the straps made from?

[@elisasierrabruno2428]

😍😍😍😍❤❤❤

[@pauladavitt7554]

How do the pins stay in place after a full day of wearing the gown?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

I've never had a pin pop out or stab me. The way they're pinned in there is really secure. A video specifically about pinning has been requested so there'll be one soon. :-)

[@linasghaier5924]

This gown is beautiful ! But what's the difference between a robe à l'anglaise and a robe à la poloniase ?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

great question! The robe a la polonaise is cut differently - most commonly it doesn't have a waist seam and the bodice and skirt are all cut in one, like a man's frock coat.

[@jennhill8708]

It was so much fun when it "clicked" & I finally understood why women needed "pin money"!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

you go it!

[@brtianniaregina]

What did they do about weight fluctuations? The front bit seems to not have much room for changes in size.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

that's the beauty of pinning the front rather than buttons or hooks and eyes. When weight fluctuated, there was ideally enough of an overlap on the center front edges to pin. If there wasn't, you would just add an extra piece to extend it.

[@Diniecita]

I would really like to see a lower class version of this outfit. Not everyone dressed this way, but today when people do make these they always make the upper class versions.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

There are many, many reenactors who dress in fashions of other classes.

[@Diniecita]

American Duchess can you recommend some??

[@leafyplaysgames3744]

I’m only 13, but I really want to try this style!! Can I do that? Or do I need to wait. Please tell me!!!

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Yep, you can wear this style at your age. There are some beautiful prints and paintings of young ladies wearing these types of gowns.

[@fan2jnrc]

Everything's perfect, but the thing is, when compared with period engravings, the waist should be much more narrow. But that's something almost impossible with the contemporary morphology of women. I had seen an exhibition about French Second Empire dresses, they explained how shoulders and waist were completely different at that time.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

of course, engravings are idealized...they're not photographs. Women came in all shapes and sizes then as they do now. Yes, wearing stays for one's whole life does inhibit the expansion of the waist, but it's important to note that it was not common practice to tight-lace stays in this period, and the kind of extreme shapes of the Victorian period weren't normal or even possible because of technology with things like steel boning and steel grommets. Also note that French Second Empire is 19th century, not 1770s.

[@fan2jnrc]

@@AmericanDuchess1 Of course, of course. That's true.

[@madyalvarez428]

Was it common for gowns to not reach the floor and show off a lady’s shoes like this?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

yup! these were called "walking-length skirts" and were typically around the lower calf to ankle length. Shoes could be quite fancy and most commonly closed with decorative buckles, which were meant to be seen.

[@sggl1753]

I had the same question. Thank you. 😀. I just found your channel. Love your clothes - I’ve never seen stays with with the tapes to keep your shoulders straight. Pretty smart.

[@jennhill8708]

SGGL, I’m coveting Lauren’s stays.

[@candy-coatedrose513]

@@jennhill8708 we have both, I see, been stricken with Stay Envy.

[@catmaaske1908]

Where can I get a stay like that one?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

the best ready-made stays are from Redthreaded.com . The ones in the video are made by me (Lauren)

[@bonnymcdermott1240]

It's a terrific demo! But the dress seems too short for the period......?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Thanks! Day wear in the 18th century had short skirts, particularly the Polonaise style like I'm wearing here. Check out these fashion plates for the 1770s - damesalamode.tumblr.com/tagged/1770s

[@davriecaro3036]

What decade specifically, does short skirts went in and out of fashion?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Walking length skirts are very popular in the 1770s and 1780s.

[@ericalouise2008]

love the little bum wiggle you did. I honestly thought that the petticoat with the tulle(?) trim would be an under layer . defo not my cup of tea xxx

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Lol, the butt wiggle is necessary :-D

[@rebeccarorie313]

This is something I don't think anybody's asked but did they wear underwear? How did they make the clothes by hand I don't think they had machines yet! Right? She looks very nice! 🙂

[@AmericanDuchess1]

hi! they didn't wear undies the way that we know them today. They wore chemises and petticoats, but aside from tucking the chemise between the legs, there weren't an briefs-style undies. You're right, they did not have sewing machines, so everything was sewn by hand!

[@tabbypanda82]

Why not a “hook & I” kinda clasp instead of the pins?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

those are also accurate, but they're not adjustable the way pins are - if a lady lost or gained in size, even just a little, the hooks and eyes would have to be moved

[@tabbypanda82]

@@AmericanDuchess1 oh ok and that makes total sense, thank you for responding🎀

[@maily300]

Where did you buy this dress from?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Made by me

[@elvacontrerasvenegas6529]

Hermoso vestuário, pero que complicado e impractico

[@gerdcelinejensen8294]

What is the difference between a stay, and a corset?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

excellent question! the term "corset" came along at the end of the 18th century and at first referred to a softer, only slightly supportive garment. They replaced stays, but then developed on their own into the more heavily-boned foundation garment worn for the rest of the 19th century. The term "stays" did stick around but referred to the boned reinforcement bodices and collars rather than the foundation garment itself.

[@gerdcelinejensen8294]

@@AmericanDuchess1 Thank you, Just started to watch channels who both describes how to wear, and the story behind the dresses/outfits! I simply adore both history and all those beautiful creations! 🤗🥰

[@evesapple]

What is the difference between a robe a la polonaise and a robe a la anglaise?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

excellent question! the robe a la polonaise was cut in one with the skirt like a man's frock coat. It was open in the front in a "cutaway" style with a stomacher or separate sleeveless bodice worn beneath. The anglaise has a waist seam, partially for the pleated back and fully for the later style with the pointed back.

[@JillWouters]

Looks cute on her. But I'm more fan of the sacque gown/robe a la Francaise. (but even in my own era I never follow the current fashion, so there's that XD

[@AmericanDuchess1]

thanks! different styles certainly suit different people. I love both of these dresses, of course - I made them!

[@JillWouters]

These days youth showing their ankles and elbows like that...XD

[@magdaciwis5920]

If its true that the gown has been created as a fascination of Polish folk dress, then I wonder which folk dress, there is so many ... Why we never learned that in school 😭 Fashion history is so fascinating.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

The "polonaise" name is a bit fantastical as used in naming of French garments. The French had all sorts of fantasy names for clothing of different countries, peoples, or regions that bore very little accuracy. They were more lightly "inspired by."

[@Xloi63]

Would American Duchess ever consider making women's shoes in much larger sizes :P like a size 12 men's? I would love a pair of the Cherry Oxford's or the Manhattan's but my ape feet are not petite enough

[@AmericanDuchess1]

We are planning to do an extended size range in our more popular standards. All of our future men's designs, many of which are unisex, will also come in women's sizes and there is overlap there between the size charts. :-)

[@ragnkja]

American Duchess While we’re on the topic of shoe sizes: your smallest size is too big for me. My shoes are European size 35 and 36 (insole 23.3 and 24 cm, respectively), and as far as I can tell you don’t have anything smaller than about 37. (In Norway, women’s shoes are typically available in sizes 36-41, with a limited selection for sizes 35 and 42.)

[@angelmaden1559]

Women’s size 11.5 (43 or 44). Would love it if you would please!!!!

[@samschulz6799]

What would wine wear if they’d become pregnant? Would they still wear stays?

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Yep, they still wore stays - there's a fantastic pair of presumed pregnancy stays in Patterns of Fashion 5 and they also talk about them in What Clothes Reveal.

[@rebeccamount50]

I could never wear a corset. I enjoy being able to take a deep breath.

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Have you ever tried it? I've never had a problem breathing in any corset. They don't constrict the lungs, for one, and if they actually fit they're really rather comfortable.

[@mastersnet18]

Just_ Becca that’s technically a pair of stays, not a corset. These aren’t meant to squeeze your waist.

[@Isa-tn7ex]

YES POLONAISE

[@AmericanDuchess1]

heck yeah!