The riding habit is finished

[frualeydis]

This is just a photo to show that it's finished, I plan to take proper photos later. It needs some ironing and I plan to both do something about my hair and wear something on my feet (it will also look better when I loose those two "christmas kilos"). It is a little short, but on horseback it won't be. Janet Arnold suggests that the jacket, which is the only preserved part, may have been open and worn over a waistocat and I find that likely, because the pleats sit much nicer when it's open. Unfortunately I don't have enough fabric for a whole waistcoat - does anybody know if they made waistcoats with a different fabric in the back then?

Comments

Too short for a horse, but perfect for travelling!

[estela-dufrayse.livejournal.com]

It's the perfect length for a travelling costume, and ladies wore riding habits all the time as travelling costume. Ankle length keeps the hem out of the mud.

I am not totally sure, but I cannot see why they wouldn't wear a different fabric for a waistcoat. You see men's wear with different waistcoats all the time, and that is the style that women are emulating in the habit.

There are several riding habits shown in The Art of Dress by Jane Ashelford that show both closed and opened jackets. There is a drawing of Lady Mary Somerset on pg 131 that may be a different fabric for the waistcoat.

Re: Too short for a horse, but perfect for travelling!

[estela-dufrayse.livejournal.com]

Sorry, must complete my thought...

Ladies wore their petticoats longer for riding, you may find to wear one this short on the back of a horse, you'll be showing off a bit too much leg!