Rococo Dresses
Published on July 14th, 2007.
Although my passion lies with corsets I first got into design because of the beautiful dresses throughout history. One of the most flamboyant and colourful times was the Rococo period (late 18th century).
I love the the women’s fashion from this time the women’s dresses were incredibly ornate and extravagant. France was most definitely the leader of Rococo fashion. A woman’s silhouette was dominated by a tightly fitted corset (they were not actually called corsets until Victorian times, they were usually called stays or a pair of bodies until then), a pannier which was a shaped undergarment that sat on each side of the hips to give width to the skirt, and a petticoat.
Corsets from this period were worn very low so that the breasts were partially visible, they were shorter then the previous century, gave a flat stomach and most emphasis to the breasts.
A stomacher was worn over the top of the corset, a stomacher is a V or U shaped piece of material that is heavily decorated, these had to be pinned to the dress each day so it was a time consuming fashion.
The beautiful silks produced in Lyons, France were an essential part of Rococo fashion other fabrics used were high quality lace, ribbons and artificial flowers.
At the end of this elegant era came the revolutionary period, the French revolution in 1789 dramatically changed the clothing style from decorative Rococo to the more simple dress of neoclassicism.
Filled under Fashion History.
8 Comments
brocadegoddess on June 9th, 2008
Your pieces are very beautiful! I make corsets as well, as a bit of a hobby. However, my great passion is the same as your first inspiration: 18th century fashion. I’m even doing a master’s in it!
The images you used are really loverly – could you tell me which site you got them from?
Priscilla Hernandez on June 19th, 2008
I managed to get a lovely top in marie antoniette style, but i’m clueless where to get panniers to make a skirt fit with it … sigh!
it’s my favourite kind of gowns theyr’e so awesome!
Viola on July 24th, 2008
I am a big fan of the Rococo period. Your pictures are great.
Eric on January 11th, 2009
dresses and gowns
. (Blogger now has backlinks – very similar to the trackback feature in Movable Type. The TrackBack specification was created by Six Apart,
nana on May 11th, 2009
OMFG!!!
So f*cking beautifull!!
I like it!!!!!
And when i like it…
Every one does!
veronica on October 16th, 2009
awsome! ever think of selling these? im one who would buy.
kween on November 30th, 2009
i love it!
i want to live in this era! 
design matin on July 18th, 2007
very beautiful, c’est très beau.
interesting, interessant,
bravo