Monthly Archives: March 2015

18th Century Blue Linen Jacket

18th century blue linen jacket, black wool skirt

For my mid-18th century blue linen jacket I repurposed the fabric from an 1980s dress – I was thrilled when I tested the fabric and it was linen! 🙂  But it meant I just had a limited amount of this fabric. The colour was also perfect, as linen could have been dyed blue with indigo or woad in the 18th century. Continue reading 18th Century Blue Linen Jacket

Mourning In The 1850s

Mourning In The 1850s

In the 1850s, three stages of mourning were worn: Deep mourning, second mourning and half mourning – each stage had its own requirements. Women had to dress accordingly in order not to become a social outcast. Mourning was less strict for working men, whereas young men usually wore mourning as long as women.

Close or deep mourning was worn for the nearest relations: Continue reading Mourning In The 1850s

Mourning In The 1860s

Mourning In The 1860s

Three stages of mourning were worn in the 1860s: Close or deep mourning for the nearest relations. Second mourning for distant relatives or by those who have previously worn deep mourning. Slight or half-mourning was the third mourning stage before mourners returned to wear ordinary dress. Each stage had its own requirements. It was a social obligation to follow the mourning etiquette in order not to become a social outcast. Continue reading Mourning In The 1860s