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| Two outfits, made for a couple going to the Venice Carnival on their honeymoon (yes, I am jealous!) The gown is a sack (or saque) back gown (or robe à la française if you want to be formal). The colour and basic design is from an extant 18th century dress in the collection of The Leeds City Museums Service. The full outfit comprises a corset (or stayes), a pair of panniers (that support the skirt), an underskirt, with a false (i.e. linen) back, a stomacher, and the gown itself. The gown is made in red handwoven silk, trimmed in ruffles of the same silk. The sleeves have deep ruffles of lace at the cuffs. The gentleman's outfit is a coat, waistcoat, shirt and breeches of the later 18th century, to match the gown. The coat is a cut-away style, which is not meant to fasten. It has a high standing collar, and short, small turn back cuffs, in line with that. The buttons are covered in self fabric. It is trimmed with silver lace (i.e. braid). The breeches are made in the same dark blue Hainsworth wool as the coat. The waistcoat is made from the same red silk as the dress, and is trimmed in a narrow silver lace, the pattern of which matches the wider lace on the coat. Again, the buttons are covered in self fabric (so this time red silk). |
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| Showing the back of the dress. Taken just in front of a lighting bank, so looks a little odd, but I rather like the effect! |
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