That's why they're called foundations, because they hold everything up. It really is amazing the difference. Ah, petticoats, the bane of my existence. No matter how much fabric I buy, I never seem to have enough. Maybe if I do my ruffle calculations using pi instead of ♾.
I feel your pain. I got petticoat material once and it was on a really good sale so I bought twice what I needed. Still turned out to not have enough. And while I’m convinced that, with my other crafting work, glitter is a self replicating organism, petticoat fabric is the opposite and shrinks when viewed. 😉 Take care and stay safe!
The natural form dress was the "wiggle" dress of Victorian period...that's how I see them. That's quite an achievement knowing that finely woven stretch material haven't been invented yet and these badboy Victorian wiggle dresses were heavily ornamented down to the trains. They were very fitted dresses even some of the unpinnings were combined to reduce the bulk. Yet the trains were awesome as hell.
Without the appropriate undergarments the dresses looked frumpy and in need of a good ironing. I love the smooth lines a corset creates, far better than the Michelin Man effect Spanx seems to achieve.
I feel so old fashioned when I say stays/corsets and petticoats etc every time; I love the smooth look of the upper body from the corset and well fitted gown. The dresses don't look right without them and it's amazing to see how much difference is makes to the bust.
for anyone watching this and wondering, please remember: for a long time clothing wasnt about the natural shape of your body. people just don't care what your body looked like. it was about achieving a specific silhouette to attain the proper "aesthetic" that fits the dress you're wearing.
Back in the day, foundation garments allowed all women regardless of size, to be stylish and fashionable. Today, there is definitely a line in the sand among sizes and I really wish companies would make tanks, and sleevesless top and blouses for larger woman without huge armholes!
I knew the theory behind the foundations, but had no idea how it would look in practice, and that was fascinating. I thought it wouldn't be as smooth in places, but had not considered how the bodice would not even fit, much less how droopy the skirts would be, and the extra length from their not going outward would cause trip hazards. Thanks for putting the time in to showing so many!
Once you realize how important the undergarments are, it gets so frustrating to see when celebrities brag about how they didn't wear a corset in a period film because you know that just means the silhouettes are gonna be all wrong
The dresses make you look frumpy, unkempt, not pretty at all. My modern clothes look like that on me. I have been thinking very hard about going historical with my wardrobe. This is a very strong piece of evidence in favor of historical fashion over modern for a woman's body, especially a menopausal plus size woman. Thank you for your service to us curvy gals. You put in hours each week and you show us the real you. You are make of strong stuff my lady. You have taught us that there were many plus gals, and they looked good in the fashions. Lets face it. We do not look attractive in modern clothes. It is so discouraging. You are a real Treasure. Thank you. I was born in 1964. When a teen, very thin, I was Strongly encouraged ( ordered, good girls wore gurdles) to wear a gurdle on a daily basis. I never could wrap my head around it. I am beginning to understand. My mom and grand mom's idea of a foundation garment.
It's so interesting how the Natural Form era and the 1910s, which are pretty similar in silhouette, fit so differently without foundation garments! I'm sure some of that is cutting and style lines, but it also really drives home how NOT natural the "natural form" is! It is a carefully crafted illusion.
So true, and it really still is. Even if through trial and error we develop a sence for what works on our own bodies. One look in the dressing room mirror is usually all it takes to convince me that a style works for me or, usually, against me. Even when Rebecca admitted the dress still felt ok without proper foundation, the difference in appearance was quite striking.
That was an interesting look at the different eras with out the foundation layers. Some definitely looked better than others. Me personally I'm seriously considering ditching my modern bra for corsets and stays. I'm over being fitted and spending a fortune on them just to be stabbed by the wire or the straps wearing out with in a month of owning and wearing them. Plus with the heat and everyone showing of all their cute combinations for lounging about to keep cool, I want to be comfortable and cool too.
I'm not replacing my modern bras when they wear out anymore, going to no wire longline bras instead...the straps never fall down, no wires and it still gives a nice shape.
It’s all about the foundations. Once you’ve got the foundation everything will work much easier. I was actually kind of surprised at some of them because even though they fit they kind of looked like nightgowns because they were so shapeless and didn’t drape properly. No offense please. But with the proper foundation garment it seemed to smooth everything out and allow everything to fall the way it should. There are a lot of interesting subtle differences between the two looks. And also, as you mentioned, some of them would work without the foundation garment, there was that je ne sais quoi that just added that extra little bit to make it better when you did have the right foundation garment on. That was really an interesting comparison. Thank you! Take care and stay safe!
I see a huge difference between corset and bra; the dresses get frumpy without proper bust support. Meaning, up where the dress was cut for. Is there a best book on corsets? I need one for about 1900 and know nothing about the changes through their century. Totally lost.
You need to look for one that suits your style and level of experience. If you’re a total beginner you might benefit best from buying a corset pattern instead from Black Snail or Laughing Moon or Red Threaded etc, as they’ll come with step by step instructions. I learned with Norah Waugh’s Corsets and Crinolines, but I also had the support of a tutor at the time. After that the absolute best ones I’ve seen so far are Patterns of Fashion 5 and Corsets by Jill Salen - they’re both stuffed full of patterns taken from extant corsets, but lighter on instructions. For 1900’s you’re looking for an S bend or straight front under or mid bust corset, and they get longer as the decade goes on, but the good news is all the patterns from pattern makers and in the books are normally described by age, so the right era should be easy to find :)
Actually really interesting how the archery dress has less range of motion with the modern bra while the proper under garments give you almost full range of motion again. Very cool thank you for sharing!
I suppose an analogy for this is it can be compared to a cake! All the undergarments are the cake underneath giving it shape and structure and the actual dress you see is the fancy frosting and cake toppers/candles are the accesories
My grandmother wore a corset from the 1920s until a few years before she died in the 1980s. It didn't give her what we would consider a pretty shape since it was based on the flapper style and took away her hips.
I think one point is that if you make these garments when not wearing the appropriate undergarments, they do fasten up, because you would size them while wearing whatever garments you intended to wear under them. They just don’t look right (or sometimes feel right). They definitely look better with appropriate underpinnings.
Great visuals here. It's amazing how the support garments do so much to take something from "costume" to "historical" even with the same dress! It really is about that proper silhouette!
All your gowns are gorgeous on you. That _"natural"_ form dress was an absolute disaster without the underpinnings. It almost looked like two completely different dresses, like when you start sewing vs. when you've gotten some experience.
A video like this could only be made by someone with an incredible back-catalogue of outfits -and- the relevant foundational pieces. Bravo! A very educational video, I also really like the one you did a while ago showing all the corsets through the ages, and how the style evolved. You have such a wealth of knowledge and the practical skills to back it up!
My mother works at a historical museum. A bit of a reenactment museum. They all just recently got historical recreation costumes custom made for them. They were not given Any undergarments! My mom thinks it doesn’t matter. She even thinks corsets are evil contraptions. I have jet to convince her otherwise. But I’m sharing this video with her. I’m hoping you can help me convince her. That the right underthings are just as important as the outer ones.
This video helped to make the past 7 months I spent making foundation garments feel even more worth it. Though not going to lie, I'm glad they're finally done.
These are the most beautiful clothes. I am 64 and would love to be able to make these gorgeous dresses. I have many many costume patterns but have never tried any of them
I needed to see this haha. I've been patterning an 1890's corset and I've gotten frustrated to the point where I just considered going without one. Back to the sewing room for another go at it I think!!
This was fascinating - such a difference the support and undergarments made to how nice the dresses looked. When I get to making my first historical outfit I can see that working from the skin out is the way to start making things.
I know this was meant to be a demonstrative video and not a fashion show, but the red and green dress 6:35 is amazing. Something about it reminds me of the Titanic movie (and I loved those dresses). On the demonstrative front, the bra totally destroys these form fitting dresses. The only clothes that suit a bra are modern clothes. You absolutely nailed your presentation.
This was great to see! I've always wondered about what the differences would be, but the comparison is incredible, way more than I expected! Thanks for the video!
This was super helpful. I can certainly say that even with the best ones the look goes from amateur to detailed and professional. Plus, it was absolutely entertaining. Thank you. :)
Funny thing is modern cloths look wrong without the proper (modern) undergarments too. I wear a corset daily for chronic pain and sometimes it looks really strange under my modern cloths.
Thank you! I’m definitely going to start with foundation garments, plus if I screw them up no one will see them and they will be good practice for improvement. You are just awesome!
I hate that bras are so popular today. I know modern women with no interest in costumes that complain about the lack of support given by bras. I tell them to try corsets and they think I'm nuts. Honestly, bras are next to useless.
I also find the underboob band on a bra unbelievably uncomfortable, so my first corset project will be a half-corset like Mariah Pattie's sports bra corset, in the hopes that it's a bit more comfortable than the usual "boobs squished out the armpits" thing that most actual sports bras tend do to do me.
I tried telling my sister-in-law and she too thought I was nuts. She had all the misconceptions and myths in her head. I tried to get her to watch an Abby Cox video, but she kept saying "what is wrong with you?" to Abby and said that her voice was too grating. Sooooo oh well. She could do with the back support, too.
Fascinating. Do you have any idea how these corsets translate into wear in a wheelchair? Presumably there were often ladies in the past who needed them? Now I feel research coming on. It was really interesting because I had nearly all of my suppositions turned upside down, I had no idea full skirts would look so sad, imagined more there, but the bust placing was so important. The lovely blue 19 teens one still looked amazing
I would look for a riding corset, the closest you would get for comfort. Since sitting on a horse puts you in a very similar position as sitting in a wheelchair. And you always have the power to just cut it shorter. You're making it It doesn't say you can't do this to fit it yourself. Just because the corsets that we have surviving and any documentation doesn't give us a clear-defined . Answer doesn't mean you can't solve your own question.
I am a wheelchair user who actually uses historical corsets and stays as my primary support garments. Now, keep in mind that I’m quite long waisted, and I’ve yet to try making a 19teens corset, but I have never had an issue with corsets digging in. I wear them because they give both amazing bust support, and amazing back support. And between both, it lowers my pain as soon as I put the corset on. It also means I’m able to go out for much longer, where I normally have issues sitting in my chair for long periods. Now I can plan full days out. It’s quite literally changed my life. Honestly, if you sew, it’s just going to have to be something you mock-up so you can deal with that issue before the final version. Or have a look at different corset eras, and try for corsets that don’t come down super low on the hips. If you’re small waisted, you’re likely going to be completely different again to me- I usually have to lengthen most corset patterns. Back when I could stand (which was a while ago) I used to have to wear a smaller waist size because I’m so squishy, but now I sit all the time, I like having that extra room. So instead of reducing by 8 inches, I only reduce by 4. You might feel more comfortable not reducing at all. Just make sure that what we you mock-up, that you test it properly, including wearing it for a couple of hours. Also a good tip- a corded petticoat helps hold my skirts out, giving good volume, but more importantly, prevents them from getting caught up in my wheels.
I have no idea about any of these answers, but I am HERE for it! Please please please consider doing an Instagram or UA-cam series of your research and progress so we can learn from you. Or at least maybe update here? Good luck and all the best!
thank you for making this video (and all your videos, your channel is awesome)! SO INTERESTING and really shows the way the undergarments you wear really do create the silhouette. And how much our modern bras and stuff (and how they're supposed to fit/look) shape our modern popular silhouettes
Thank you for this video. I remember The Pragmatic Costumer did a blog about this issue and I was like Yep, that Victorian dress is FRUMPY as hell lol.
Thank you for sharing your skill. The comparisons are helpful. I love your outfit, especially the blue pattern. That's my favorite color and I like those kinds of patterns.
love this! I dont know how we got away from foundation garments as just a foundation to get a desired to shape to corsets being sexualized and girdles and such only for fat women...as a plus size woman that has also had a couple kids I like the foundation garments because I feel a lot more supported and that makes me feel comfortable!
got to have the proper under-propper to look proper. Of course, I might point out: if the frock had been made without the stays/corset in mind, they would fit and the length of the skirt would be appropriate without the petticoats. They would still look wrong, but they would fit. Fabulous demonstration.
I do plan on making some more corsets and stays to help give my bosom some support as well as smoothing out my silhouette and prevent chafing from all the ties and tulle bunching at my waist. It also helps take the weight off of my waist when I have padding and petticoats on.
This was so helpful!! Seeing the comparison between the two really helps me to understand and visualise the silhouettes of the eras, especially how the waist and bust move around. I think it helps me conceptualise why things were done certain ways. Thank you!
Hi, Rebecca, this information hit home with me. While I'm not a costumer, I am in love with and wear daily vintage style, particularly the 1950s with the gorgeous shirt waists and full swing skirts. I am a plus size gal, but as I learned from one of your videos, achieving a look is about proportions. I wear either an overbust or underbust corset WITH a bike-short style shapewear from Yahaira my dresses, skirts, and blouses. The other day, I wanted to run to the store, and I didn't want to take time to put on all my undergarments - just throw on a shirt and blouse. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't do it! What a HUGE difference shapewear or foundation wear (whatever you want to call it) makes in the overall style and appearance of an outfit. While I do have a naturally smaller waist (a 12-inch hipspring!), I'm 52, have given birth (27 years ago), and have recently lost 100 pounds. My waist isn't nearly as smooth without the corset as it is with the corset. Your video just reinforced what I realized a week or so ago and inspires me NOT to skip the foundation wear. I have a question for any daily corset wearers out there. Do you feel at all self conscious when people compliment you on your small waist and how lovely you look in your clothes? Do you feel like a fraud? Do you tell them your secret? Please share your experiences.
I’ve never worn a corset (yet) but your question about feeling like a fraud made me think of plastic surgery. In your case, your body is all natural- it’s all you. You’re simply curating your presentation. Why should a corset be any different than any other form of shape wear? Just my thoughts.
@@sadurkee5 Hi! I agree with you, but I still feel uncomfortable sometimes, not enough to stop wearing my corset to make my clothes project the image I want and not as self conscious as I did at first. I've been wearing corsets now for a few years, but sometimes I do feel like people think I'm a fraud. I don't know. It's probably just me overthinking as I tend to do.
I'm not a daily corset wearer, but I don't think you should feel like a fraud or anything when someone complements you - it's still your body, and you're doing the "hard work" of daily corset wearing!
@@LadyRebeccaFashions Thanks! I hadn't really thought of it that way. I need to stop fighting the feeling that I need to tell people I'm wearing a corset. After all, I don't feel the need to tell people who compliment my blouse, "Thanks, I'm wearing a great support bra!" 😂
This was really helpful! Gives a good idea of where to get started when you’re just dipping in toes for the first time! The early 1900s seems perfect for me! And then when I get more confidence in sewing I can make a corset! I wonder if a wired modern bustier is similar enough to any era? I’m not sure there’s enough lift in the bust for some of the eras, but it is smoothing over the tummy! So maybe a good halfway point? Would love some tips on this! Of course as accurate as possible is always going to get the perfect look
Thank you! I've never tried a modern bustier, but when I've seen them in stores, they don't seem to have the structure nor the curves to really replicate any Victorian looks.
Hello, can you show us how the foundation garments would behave underneath modern dresses or skirts? Thank you and this video is really in-depth and informative.
You can see the corsets side of that in my "I wore a corset for a week" video from last fall. Pretty much all of the petticoats or other skirt supports would be way too big under modern skirts, though.
So funny and illuminating that the so-called "natural form" era is the most in need of structural undergarments! As you've said before, definitely not actually natural!
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That's why they're called foundations, because they hold everything up. It really is amazing the difference. Ah, petticoats, the bane of my existence. No matter how much fabric I buy, I never seem to have enough. Maybe if I do my ruffle calculations using pi instead of ♾.
I feel your pain. I got petticoat material once and it was on a really good sale so I bought twice what I needed. Still turned out to not have enough. And while I’m convinced that, with my other crafting work, glitter is a self replicating organism, petticoat fabric is the opposite and shrinks when viewed. 😉
Take care and stay safe!
@@chriscrosscrafter I think you are on to something! The dang stuff evaporates when looked at, and thought about, and touched.
😅math is my nemesis, it’s amazing how I can actually make anything that works!
Kind of ironic that the ‘natural form’ dress was one of the most uncomfortable, lol.
The natural form dress was the "wiggle" dress of Victorian period...that's how I see them. That's quite an achievement knowing that finely woven stretch material haven't been invented yet and these badboy Victorian wiggle dresses were heavily ornamented down to the trains. They were very fitted dresses even some of the unpinnings were combined to reduce the bulk. Yet the trains were awesome as hell.
Entertaining? Yes. Informative? Yes.
Did I groan because it reaffirmed my decision to start/make the underwear first? Yes.
😂😂😂😂 I’m struggling with this right now as I’m not in the mood to make another pair of stays but really need to for my redingote!
Without the under garments the pattern for the outer garment would be wrong, with bust at the wrong place.
Without the appropriate undergarments the dresses looked frumpy and in need of a good ironing.
I love the smooth lines a corset creates, far better than the Michelin Man effect Spanx seems to achieve.
YES!!! Spanx also made me feel worse about my body rather than better and they have also gotten really expensive for what they are!
I feel so old fashioned when I say stays/corsets and petticoats etc every time; I love the smooth look of the upper body from the corset and well fitted gown. The dresses don't look right without them and it's amazing to see how much difference is makes to the bust.
Exactly, I agree with you.
Maybe this is why people think that historical clothing is not cool or uncomfortable and cold in the winter/hot in the summer or whatevs
for anyone watching this and wondering, please remember: for a long time clothing wasnt about the natural shape of your body. people just don't care what your body looked like. it was about achieving a specific silhouette to attain the proper "aesthetic" that fits the dress you're wearing.
I do wonder when women's bodies became a part of fashion! Why is that? It seems so wrong to me lmaooo
And this is why (again) live-action Belle didn’t work but Cinderella slayed. Foundations people!
THANK YOU
Back in the day, foundation garments allowed all women regardless of size, to be stylish and fashionable. Today, there is definitely a line in the sand among sizes and I really wish companies would make tanks, and sleevesless top and blouses for larger woman without huge armholes!
I think we need a variety of armholes, I wear M/L sizes and I hate that feeling when clothes itch my armpits. Where I can find the bigger ones?
I knew the theory behind the foundations, but had no idea how it would look in practice, and that was fascinating. I thought it wouldn't be as smooth in places, but had not considered how the bodice would not even fit, much less how droopy the skirts would be, and the extra length from their not going outward would cause trip hazards. Thanks for putting the time in to showing so many!
Excellent. This would make a believer of anyone.
The power of proper foundations can not be overstated! 🤣
I never realised what a difference the correct undergarments make to how the costumes sit.
Once you realize how important the undergarments are, it gets so frustrating to see when celebrities brag about how they didn't wear a corset in a period film because you know that just means the silhouettes are gonna be all wrong
I wish someone would do a video like this about earlier periods too!
Anything from the eras of conical bodies/stays would be very entertaining/wrinkled!
@@asterismos5451 Not to mention agonising. All those pins and nothing to anchor them to...
I'd like to see it for 1950s to early 60s.
In the 1960s/70s Laura Ashley did bustled prairie dresses and that's the vibe I get with the 1880s dress with no under structure I kinda live for it
Also super helpful for visual learners on how different undergarments change the body versus just the video where you measured.
The dresses make you look frumpy, unkempt, not pretty at all. My modern clothes look like that on me. I have been thinking very hard about going historical with my wardrobe. This is a very strong piece of evidence in favor of historical fashion over modern for a woman's body, especially a menopausal plus size woman. Thank you for your service to us curvy gals. You put in hours each week and you show us the real you. You are make of strong stuff my lady. You have taught us that there were many plus gals, and they looked good in the fashions. Lets face it. We do not look attractive in modern clothes. It is so discouraging. You are a real Treasure. Thank you.
I was born in 1964. When a teen, very thin, I was Strongly encouraged ( ordered, good girls wore gurdles) to wear a gurdle on a daily basis. I never could wrap my head around it. I am beginning to understand. My mom and grand mom's idea of a foundation garment.
It's so interesting how the Natural Form era and the 1910s, which are pretty similar in silhouette, fit so differently without foundation garments! I'm sure some of that is cutting and style lines, but it also really drives home how NOT natural the "natural form" is! It is a carefully crafted illusion.
Victorian Fashion was all about illusion and proportions.
So true, and it really still is. Even if through trial and error we develop a sence for what works on our own bodies. One look in the dressing room mirror is usually all it takes to convince me that a style works for me or, usually, against me. Even when Rebecca admitted the dress still felt ok without proper foundation, the difference in appearance was quite striking.
regency gowns without stays remind me a lot of house dresses, but like someone went all-out on pretty sleeves for some reason
the Natural Form without the foundations has finally put an image in my head for "it looks like an old curtain"
that one's EXTREMELY different!!!
That was an interesting look at the different eras with out the foundation layers. Some definitely looked better than others. Me personally I'm seriously considering ditching my modern bra for corsets and stays. I'm over being fitted and spending a fortune on them just to be stabbed by the wire or the straps wearing out with in a month of owning and wearing them. Plus with the heat and everyone showing of all their cute combinations for lounging about to keep cool, I want to be comfortable and cool too.
I'm not replacing my modern bras when they wear out anymore, going to no wire longline bras instead...the straps never fall down, no wires and it still gives a nice shape.
It’s all about the foundations. Once you’ve got the foundation everything will work much easier. I was actually kind of surprised at some of them because even though they fit they kind of looked like nightgowns because they were so shapeless and didn’t drape properly. No offense please. But with the proper foundation garment it seemed to smooth everything out and allow everything to fall the way it should.
There are a lot of interesting subtle differences between the two looks. And also, as you mentioned, some of them would work without the foundation garment, there was that je ne sais quoi that just added that extra little bit to make it better when you did have the right foundation garment on.
That was really an interesting comparison. Thank you!
Take care and stay safe!
I see a huge difference between corset and bra; the dresses get frumpy without proper bust support. Meaning, up where the dress was cut for.
Is there a best book on corsets? I need one for about 1900 and know nothing about the changes through their century. Totally lost.
You need to look for one that suits your style and level of experience. If you’re a total beginner you might benefit best from buying a corset pattern instead from Black Snail or Laughing Moon or Red Threaded etc, as they’ll come with step by step instructions. I learned with Norah Waugh’s Corsets and Crinolines, but I also had the support of a tutor at the time. After that the absolute best ones I’ve seen so far are Patterns of Fashion 5 and Corsets by Jill Salen - they’re both stuffed full of patterns taken from extant corsets, but lighter on instructions. For 1900’s you’re looking for an S bend or straight front under or mid bust corset, and they get longer as the decade goes on, but the good news is all the patterns from pattern makers and in the books are normally described by age, so the right era should be easy to find :)
Corsets and Crinolines is the best book on the subject.
I second the recommendations of Jill Salen's book, and Corsets and Crinolines!
@@LadyRebeccaFashions Jill Salen's book is also excellent- I'm about to make a corset from it, thanks for reminding me!
Actually really interesting how the archery dress has less range of motion with the modern bra while the proper under garments give you almost full range of motion again. Very cool thank you for sharing!
Lends a whole new meaning to the phrase 'letting yourself go'!
And the term a "loose woman."
I suppose an analogy for this is it can be compared to a cake! All the undergarments are the cake underneath giving it shape and structure and the actual dress you see is the fancy frosting and cake toppers/candles are the accesories
Hi, I always heard my Nan say underpinnings are what you need, that was when a "good women" would always wear a girdle. 💖
My grandmother wore a corset from the 1920s until a few years before she died in the 1980s. It didn't give her what we would consider a pretty shape since it was based on the flapper style and took away her hips.
The closing issue is so true 😂 undergarments are so necessary, making hell of a difference.
I feel like I just took a delightful romp through your closet. Your expressions and animation were fun and funny!
Funny and informative! Those skirts looked so sad without the petticoats!
I think one point is that if you make these garments when not wearing the appropriate undergarments, they do fasten up, because you would size them while wearing whatever garments you intended to wear under them. They just don’t look right (or sometimes feel right). They definitely look better with appropriate underpinnings.
Great visuals here. It's amazing how the support garments do so much to take something from "costume" to "historical" even with the same dress! It really is about that proper silhouette!
It's a great reminder of how important undergarments are! Thanks!
This really shows the importance of the undergarments! Great video!
All your gowns are gorgeous on you. That _"natural"_ form dress was an absolute disaster without the underpinnings. It almost looked like two completely different dresses, like when you start sewing vs. when you've gotten some experience.
A video like this could only be made by someone with an incredible back-catalogue of outfits -and- the relevant foundational pieces. Bravo! A very educational video, I also really like the one you did a while ago showing all the corsets through the ages, and how the style evolved. You have such a wealth of knowledge and the practical skills to back it up!
This does show how good historical fashions make you look!
My mother works at a historical museum. A bit of a reenactment museum. They all just recently got historical recreation costumes custom made for them. They were not given Any undergarments! My mom thinks it doesn’t matter. She even thinks corsets are evil contraptions. I have jet to convince her otherwise. But I’m sharing this video with her. I’m hoping you can help me convince her. That the right underthings are just as important as the outer ones.
This video helped to make the past 7 months I spent making foundation garments feel even more worth it. Though not going to lie, I'm glad they're finally done.
So true without the proper undergarments the outfits fall apart
These are the most beautiful clothes. I am 64 and would love to be able to make these gorgeous dresses. I have many many costume patterns but have never tried any of them
I am SO glad you demonstrated this. Truly dressing technology!
I needed to see this haha. I've been patterning an 1890's corset and I've gotten frustrated to the point where I just considered going without one. Back to the sewing room for another go at it I think!!
This was fascinating - such a difference the support and undergarments made to how nice the dresses looked. When I get to making my first historical outfit I can see that working from the skin out is the way to start making things.
Oh my! Your victory curls are absolutely gorgeous. I am beyond impressed. Now to actually watch the video. : )
It was really interesting to see the difference side by side!
Wow I knew there would be a big difference but it’s even so much more than I thought!
I know this was meant to be a demonstrative video and not a fashion show, but the red and green dress 6:35 is amazing. Something about it reminds me of the Titanic movie (and I loved those dresses).
On the demonstrative front, the bra totally destroys these form fitting dresses. The only clothes that suit a bra are modern clothes. You absolutely nailed your presentation.
This was great to see! I've always wondered about what the differences would be, but the comparison is incredible, way more than I expected! Thanks for the video!
Oh! This was fascinating! An EXCELLENT illustration of the reasons for historical underpinnings!
This was super helpful. I can certainly say that even with the best ones the look goes from amateur to detailed and professional. Plus, it was absolutely entertaining. Thank you. :)
Funny thing is modern cloths look wrong without the proper (modern) undergarments too. I wear a corset daily for chronic pain and sometimes it looks really strange under my modern cloths.
Thank you! I’m definitely going to start with foundation garments, plus if I screw them up no one will see them and they will be good practice for improvement. You are just awesome!
I hate that bras are so popular today. I know modern women with no interest in costumes that complain about the lack of support given by bras. I tell them to try corsets and they think I'm nuts. Honestly, bras are next to useless.
I also find the underboob band on a bra unbelievably uncomfortable, so my first corset project will be a half-corset like Mariah Pattie's sports bra corset, in the hopes that it's a bit more comfortable than the usual "boobs squished out the armpits" thing that most actual sports bras tend do to do me.
I tried telling my sister-in-law and she too thought I was nuts. She had all the misconceptions and myths in her head. I tried to get her to watch an Abby Cox video, but she kept saying "what is wrong with you?" to Abby and said that her voice was too grating. Sooooo oh well. She could do with the back support, too.
Wow this is so perfectly done, this is exactly what I needed
it's kind of ironic how the natural form era dress fits worst on the natural body lol
I think natural meant corseted form, maybe because the dresses were meant to be worn over their proper undergarments.
Fascinating. Do you have any idea how these corsets translate into wear in a wheelchair? Presumably there were often ladies in the past who needed them? Now I feel research coming on. It was really interesting because I had nearly all of my suppositions turned upside down, I had no idea full skirts would look so sad, imagined more there, but the bust placing was so important. The lovely blue 19 teens one still looked amazing
I would look for a riding corset, the closest you would get for comfort. Since sitting on a horse puts you in a very similar position as sitting in a wheelchair.
And you always have the power to just cut it shorter. You're making it It doesn't say you can't do this to fit it yourself. Just because the corsets that we have surviving and any documentation doesn't give us a clear-defined . Answer doesn't mean you can't solve your own question.
I am a wheelchair user who actually uses historical corsets and stays as my primary support garments. Now, keep in mind that I’m quite long waisted, and I’ve yet to try making a 19teens corset, but I have never had an issue with corsets digging in. I wear them because they give both amazing bust support, and amazing back support. And between both, it lowers my pain as soon as I put the corset on. It also means I’m able to go out for much longer, where I normally have issues sitting in my chair for long periods. Now I can plan full days out. It’s quite literally changed my life.
Honestly, if you sew, it’s just going to have to be something you mock-up so you can deal with that issue before the final version. Or have a look at different corset eras, and try for corsets that don’t come down super low on the hips. If you’re small waisted, you’re likely going to be completely different again to me- I usually have to lengthen most corset patterns. Back when I could stand (which was a while ago) I used to have to wear a smaller waist size because I’m so squishy, but now I sit all the time, I like having that extra room. So instead of reducing by 8 inches, I only reduce by 4. You might feel more comfortable not reducing at all. Just make sure that what we you mock-up, that you test it properly, including wearing it for a couple of hours.
Also a good tip- a corded petticoat helps hold my skirts out, giving good volume, but more importantly, prevents them from getting caught up in my wheels.
I have no idea about any of these answers, but I am HERE for it! Please please please consider doing an Instagram or UA-cam series of your research and progress so we can learn from you. Or at least maybe update here? Good luck and all the best!
@@doglover1neo writing corset = riding corset?
I second the riding corset idea. AraneaBlack did a Victorian riding corset video 2 months ago. Might be worth checking it out for ideas.
thank you for making this video (and all your videos, your channel is awesome)! SO INTERESTING and really shows the way the undergarments you wear really do create the silhouette. And how much our modern bras and stuff (and how they're supposed to fit/look) shape our modern popular silhouettes
Thanks for this video, most educational.
You look brilliant in that blouse/dress. Very slim.
Thank you for this video. I remember The Pragmatic Costumer did a blog about this issue and I was like Yep, that Victorian dress is FRUMPY as hell lol.
Thank you for sharing your skill. The comparisons are helpful. I love your outfit, especially the blue pattern. That's my favorite color and I like those kinds of patterns.
Oh wow. Your clothes are so beautiful.
this was a great thing to see, thank you
Excellent video!
Cool. I knew this was the case in theory, but it was still very informative (and entertaining) to watch.
This was really interesting. I learned a lot. Correct undergarments make a huge difference.
Wow that really shows how much they need the foundation garments! Very nicely done
That was an eye opener for sure!
OOO! I love that pin! It's so cute!
Aaaannnnd...the 1910's dress--I have a photo of my great grandmother wearing a VERY similar dress to that one circa 1913. Very nifty!
You look stunning in your 1840s dress ! 😍
I appreciate this video so much. That is a huge push to start at the base and work out. You're so awesome!
love this! I dont know how we got away from foundation garments as just a foundation to get a desired to shape to corsets being sexualized and girdles and such only for fat women...as a plus size woman that has also had a couple kids I like the foundation garments because I feel a lot more supported and that makes me feel comfortable!
Your hair is fabulous!
got to have the proper under-propper to look proper. Of course, I might point out: if the frock had been made without the stays/corset in mind, they would fit and the length of the skirt would be appropriate without the petticoats. They would still look wrong, but they would fit. Fabulous demonstration.
Great video and I love the dress you're wearing.
I do plan on making some more corsets and stays to help give my bosom some support as well as smoothing out my silhouette and prevent chafing from all the ties and tulle bunching at my waist. It also helps take the weight off of my waist when I have padding and petticoats on.
This was so helpful!! Seeing the comparison between the two really helps me to understand and visualise the silhouettes of the eras, especially how the waist and bust move around. I think it helps me conceptualise why things were done certain ways. Thank you!
I think you should do a shaper… to see if it’s a good dupe
That's an interesting idea. I don't think it would compare at all though!
Hi, Rebecca, this information hit home with me. While I'm not a costumer, I am in love with and wear daily vintage style, particularly the 1950s with the gorgeous shirt waists and full swing skirts. I am a plus size gal, but as I learned from one of your videos, achieving a look is about proportions. I wear either an overbust or underbust corset WITH a bike-short style shapewear from Yahaira my dresses, skirts, and blouses. The other day, I wanted to run to the store, and I didn't want to take time to put on all my undergarments - just throw on a shirt and blouse. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't do it! What a HUGE difference shapewear or foundation wear (whatever you want to call it) makes in the overall style and appearance of an outfit. While I do have a naturally smaller waist (a 12-inch hipspring!), I'm 52, have given birth (27 years ago), and have recently lost 100 pounds. My waist isn't nearly as smooth without the corset as it is with the corset. Your video just reinforced what I realized a week or so ago and inspires me NOT to skip the foundation wear.
I have a question for any daily corset wearers out there. Do you feel at all self conscious when people compliment you on your small waist and how lovely you look in your clothes? Do you feel like a fraud? Do you tell them your secret? Please share your experiences.
I’ve never worn a corset (yet) but your question about feeling like a fraud made me think of plastic surgery. In your case, your body is all natural- it’s all you. You’re simply curating your presentation. Why should a corset be any different than any other form of shape wear? Just my thoughts.
@@sadurkee5 Hi! I agree with you, but I still feel uncomfortable sometimes, not enough to stop wearing my corset to make my clothes project the image I want and not as self conscious as I did at first. I've been wearing corsets now for a few years, but sometimes I do feel like people think I'm a fraud. I don't know. It's probably just me overthinking as I tend to do.
I'm not a daily corset wearer, but I don't think you should feel like a fraud or anything when someone complements you - it's still your body, and you're doing the "hard work" of daily corset wearing!
@@LadyRebeccaFashions Thanks! I hadn't really thought of it that way. I need to stop fighting the feeling that I need to tell people I'm wearing a corset. After all, I don't feel the need to tell people who compliment my blouse, "Thanks, I'm wearing a great support bra!" 😂
This was so interesting and useful!
I love your little cherry pin!
I’ve been having this conversation with myself lately! Hahahahaha
Thanks for the contrast!
This was really helpful!
Gives a good idea of where to get started when you’re just dipping in toes for the first time!
The early 1900s seems perfect for me! And then when I get more confidence in sewing I can make a corset! I wonder if a wired modern bustier is similar enough to any era? I’m not sure there’s enough lift in the bust for some of the eras, but it is smoothing over the tummy! So maybe a good halfway point?
Would love some tips on this!
Of course as accurate as possible is always going to get the perfect look
Thank you! I've never tried a modern bustier, but when I've seen them in stores, they don't seem to have the structure nor the curves to really replicate any Victorian looks.
This was such a fun and educational video!
Wonderful demo!
Very educational!
omg, I just figured out, who you are reminding me of, Rose from Agent Carter!
I absolutely love your facial expressions in the "non-corset" side of the video lmao!😂😂😂
Awesome educational video! Well done
Hello, can you show us how the foundation garments would behave underneath modern dresses or skirts? Thank you and this video is really in-depth and informative.
You can see the corsets side of that in my "I wore a corset for a week" video from last fall. Pretty much all of the petticoats or other skirt supports would be way too big under modern skirts, though.
So funny and illuminating that the so-called "natural form" era is the most in need of structural undergarments! As you've said before, definitely not actually natural!
Well done
BRAVO!
So fascinating.....
A fun cautionary tale
Loved this!
Fascinating!
I love your hair, and I love your cherry pin.