The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has an incredible collection of 18th century frocks, and I just had to share them with you!
Not all of these garments are on view at the museum but fortunately for us, they are available to see via the online collection. After spending hours (ahh for real) browsing the garments I pulled some of my favorites to share here.
I picked out these based on materials, colors and details. Take a good look at them (if you click the image you can see the larger image) the embroidery and buttons are just incredible! Plus I am sucker for sparkle, so I had to throw some of those in too!
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| French, Ensemble in yellow. ca. 1765, silk, metal. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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| French, Coat in green and black pattern [1999.105.2]. 1790s, silk. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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| French, Suit in green [C.I.60.50a–c]. 1775-80, silk. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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| French, Coat in burgundy with embroidery [51.47.2611]. 1775, silk. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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| French, Suit with ruffles [1989.69a, b]. 1760-75, silk. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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| French (probably), Coat in sage [C.I.41.124.64]. ca. 1792, silk. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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| French, Suit in pink [C.I.60.22.1a–c]. 1775-80, silk, metallic. Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
Eat your heart out John Galliano!!!
ReplyDeleteLauren, have you got the book La Mode En France? If not, you must try and get it, you will love it.
@millinerista I do not have that book! I will look around and see if I can find a copy, thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteI believe, if men could wear these over the top fashions today...it would solve a lot of problems.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew where to find patterns, I'd be firing up the Bernina...
ReplyDelete@anonymous totally agree!
ReplyDelete@Buck I think this is the book you need:
Costumes Close-up
Fortunately it is available at the New York State Library
What wonderful formal attire. How ever did they keep there clothing clean during this period in history. Imagine at times two three thousand people living at Versailles, what a huge task to launder for So many. It facinates me to wonder how the practicle aspects of life were delt with. This is an amazing site, I've had So much pleasure reading the previous post having only just discovered it last week. Thank-you all.
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Love those 18th Century Metrosexual males!!! : - )
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.