Ask A Wench - Men in Boots, and other favorite historical clothing!

Nicola here, introducing this month’s Ask A Wench feature. Recently on my Facebook page I’ve started to post an item called Saturday Swagger, sharing some of the gorgeous historical portraits I’ve seen and love. One of them was this 17th century miniature of Sir Edward Herbert reclining in a come-hither pose. When she saw it, fellow author and Word Wench friend Sophie Weston of the Liberta Blog  commented: “The Boots! The Boots!” Happily, this set us all thinking about those aspects of historical costume that we particularly enjoy, and the result is this blog piece in which we ask: “What is your favourite item of historical clothing, to wear, to make or simply to appreciate?” So here are the Wenches' thoughts on this topic of sartorial splendour and we would love to hear yours!

Anne here: I'm definitely with Sophie Weston on the appeal of men in boots. There's something very masculine about a man wearing good leather boots — even if, as was the case in the Regency, many gentlemen were terribly fussy about their boots and were careful not to get them muddy or even splashed. My heroes do love their glossy boots, but they would never let their appearance get in the way of rescuing the heroine, or performing any other bold and brave masculine action. In fact the inspiration for my current hero (a duke) is David Gandy as he appears in these images, which are copyright so I can't show them here. But click on the link here and scroll down for a visual man-in-boots treat.

An image that I can show is this one of a hussar officer in 1895 wearing Hessian boots — no other than a young Winston Churchill. The word Hessian comes from the German district of Hesse (not the sacking material).  These military riding boots became tremendously fashionable in the Regency era, not only for military men and, according to Wikipedia, were the forerunners to Wellington boots, and also cowboy boots. 

Pat here: Hmmm, this is a tough one. I love flashy capes, but I think I like redingotes more. And tight breeches and boots. . . yum. A high top hat is always elegant—which leads me to the ladies and their headgear and I think that’s where I’ll land. I love hats. I am an utter sucker for hats. I don’t have manageable hair, and I burn easily, so I love the idea of hiding under a bonnet or a stylish leghorn. Even indoors, I could cover my hair in a cap and not have to work at making it look good!

Here’s a link to some fun Regency accessories!And the really cool part of hats is that I could decorate and redecorate to my heart’s content! Roses, giant peonies, ribbons, chiffon. . . the possibilities were endless. As it is, I have several straw hats I decorate with scarves to match my outfit, but my creativity isn’t as appreciated these days!

More pretty pics here! 

Andrea: I find a gentleman’s cravat fascinating. A deceptively simple piece of clothing, it offered a Regency Tulip of the ton endlessly interesting ways to assert his individuality.  There were guides on how to tie different styles—the Mathematical, the Waterfall, the Mailcoach, the Oriental, just to name a few. (Here's a fun site on how to tie a cravat. But I imagine a creative fellow might have had some fun inventing his own unique style—a jaunty tweak to the tails, a bit of ruffling in the linen. There was, of course, an art to the perfect knot. It’s said that Beau Brummel could go through a dozen or more lengths of starched linen before being satisfied that his cravat was “comme il faut.” In paintings of the era, the cravat draws the eye, as it helps frame the face—and to me it’s interesting in how much it adds to signaling a gentleman’s character—is he confident? . . . Soulful? Or a prancing popinjay? (Sir Thomas Lawrence’s portrait of a mature Duke of Wellington shows a fellow who can’t be bothered with tying a cravat—just drape a medal around it!) 

And as an author, I can’t help imagining the fun a lady of the era must have had in unknotting those elaborate designs . . . and observing the gentleman sans cravat!

Mary Jo here, and my vote is for capes and cloaks that swirl and dance romantically!  Admittedly they may be a little draftier than a coat with buttons, but they look so beautiful. Mysterious ladies, dashing heroes on horseback, Gothic heroines gazing at castles with their cloaks flaring in the wind: such great imagery!

 Really, what would Zorro be without his cape? A ninja or the Man in Black from The Princess Bride. (Not that there is anything wrong with them! )

 Here is a back view of my caped wedding gown because nothing says romance like a grand, flowing cape. <G>

Nicola again: I’m with the other wenches on all of these items of clothing. They conjure up a sense of romance and historical atmosphere that our imaginations can work with! Probably most of them were a great deal less comfortable and convenient to wear than our own everyday clothing but they look good. Speaking of uncomfortable, no one has mentioned either codpieces or ruffs...

One of my favourite things is children’s clothing from history, especially the glorious miniature adult versions of outfits like the one in this picture of a girl who is four years old. I can’t imagine she was allowed to play outside in that dress though. It's far too special!

Over to you now! What is your favourite item of historical clothing, to wear, to make or simply to appreciate? Do you make and wear Regency gowns? Would you thrown your bonnet over a windmill? And we haven’t even mentioned men in kilts yet…

Comments

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Wow Mary Jo, that is a fabulous wedding gown! My favourite piece of historical clothing has to be the frock coats for men - the ones with really wide "skirts" swishing at the back and lots of pleats. I so want one!

[Nicola Cornick]

Isn't that a stunning cape and gown of Mary Jo's, Christina!

Oh yes, I agree on the frock coat. Love a good swish!

[Lillian Marek]

I think I would go for a hero wearing a plumed hat—a cavalier could sweep it off with such a gallant gesture. Much more impressive than tipping a top hat. But for me, I would want a cape, a long hooded cape. Maybe with a fur-lined hood for winter. And it would go so nicely with that plumed hat!

[Mary T]

On men, I think many tiered great coats, boots, and tight fitting trousers are really sexy. The tight fitting jackets men wore described in novels sound uncomfortable.

For women, I think the high waisted dresses look elegant yet comfortable. I like hats and bonnets too. What I don't care for are dresses and trains that drag the floor. I know I should be thinking elegant, but the first thought that pops into my mind is how they are sweeping the floor (smile).

[Nicola Cornick]

I must say there is something very gallant about seeping off a plumed hat! (And I don't mind admitting that when I did a tour of Ashdown House in costume I wore a cavalier hat myself and thought it very fetching!)

[Nicola Cornick]

Swishing around in a many tiered great coat does sound rather impressive, doesn't it, Mary! I love the look of the high waisted dresses which knowing I'm not built to look good in a style like that.

[Sue McCormick]

I'm not very fashion conscious. I dress for comfort and decency and I have a 40=year old sweater in my closet that I still wear for dress-up occasions!

But when I was 11 or 13, I hada cape. A fairly plain, navy blue cape of full-body length for the pre-teen I was. I still remember the glorious feel of that cape. And at an even earlier age I had a seal-sking muff — warm, comfortable, and classy (I'd go for artificial fur today, but that was back in the 30s, so what did I know about saving the seals?)

Those those are my tow items of classic clothing — a cape and a muff.

[Janice M]

Oh, yes...capes. I own several and love them for ease of wear plus style. Everyone notices a cape. I wonder about wearing those soft slipper shoes even to dance in. A sturdy half boot would be more comfortable, I think. In reality, most Regency women clothes are too young, too high busted, too flimsy for my taste— very age 16 appropriate. But the men! They wore skin tight buckskin trousers and wonderful coats and jackets. Think how sexy Sharpe looked in his many frogged blouse. Stupid look was the Hussar jacket worn over one arm and left hanging so that a cord was needed to secure the dang thing and avoid having it flap about terrifying he horses! Nonetheless the boots were gorgeous....just very masculine and chic.

[Nicola Cornick]

LOL, Sue! I'm definitely one for comfort over elegance as well, though I do like to dress up nicely occasionally! I love the sound of your cape - how classy! And you've just reminded me that when I was a child I had a muff too and it was fabulous!

[Nicola Cornick]

A cape is a classic of style, isn't it, Janice! I agree that the Regency women's fashions weren't very flattering for the majority. I guess some men couldn't carry off their styles either!

[Margaret]

I think I have to go with Mary Jo on this one and vote for capes. Of course, that might in part be due to my hazy but very fond memories of one of the first "romances" I ever read: Victoria Holt's "On the Night of the Seventh Moon." Very dark and filled with capes, cloaks, and passion!

[Karin]

Boots are wonderful. I love the boots. But I'll also put a word in for those white shirts with the very full sleeves and tight cuffs. The ones that the men are always wearing half unbuttoned and falling out of on book covers.

[Annette N]

When I was a child, nurses wore navy blue capes with red silk lining. I would faint at the sight of blood, but I wanted to be a nurse for the cape.

Later, I inherited a plaid rain cape with a hood. I was a star. Unfortunately, I was in a growth spurt and before too long the rain cape was too small for me.

My heart was broken.

Oh, to have a cape again!

[Jane]

My very first thought was Men in Kilts! I mean, Jamie Fraser, after all. Need I say more?

[Janet]

There's something about men in tight breeches and high boots...:sigh:

[Nicola Cornick]

So it was, Margaret! Victoria Holt#s books did rather lend themselves to swishing capes and Gothic passions.

[Nicola Cornick]

I love those too, Karin!

[Nicola Cornick]

What is it about the romance of a cape, I wonder? Those of us who had one were so happy with them! Is wearing one like being in a fairy tale, perhaps? The glamour and the mystery of it.

[Nicola Cornick]

So glad you have raised the subject of men in kilts, Jane!

[Nicola Cornick]

LOL, Janet. There is indeed!

[Patricia Franzino]

Historical clothing from the 19th century and before that time is too tight with corsets involved. The dresses were certainly lighter in the Regency, but underneath the cinching of a woman's torso was just another restriction of movement.

I would go forward to the 1920s when women threw away corsets and wore light fabrics that were still beautifully decorated.