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

[mynningsflamma.livejournal.com]

seen several open ones with a different waiscoat underneath.. but normally the buttons are attatched with a leather string going from the top of the jacket to the buttom (same in the ladies as I understand it)

the skirts are longer for riding.. the "rules" weren't in use most of the 18thc but in the early 19th c you can read that the skirt hem has to end between the bottom of the horse's stomach and the ground..
right now I can't remember where I read it though..

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

The 19th century had a very different concept of modesty and coverage than the early 18th century though. But you're probably right, in any case there won't be any horseback riding going on.

The jacket in Arnold has sewn-in buttons.

/Eva

[mynningsflamma.livejournal.com]

it has? how embarrising I haven't noticed..
i've gone on the french jackets found that had the same type of attatchment as the armyjackets for the men (we also have the same style in our Swedish "carolin" uniforms).. they could be more army type though..