This months theme for HSM/15 is “Brown”.
The Dreamstress whites:
it’s not the most exciting colour by modern standards, but brown has been one of the most common, and popular, colours throughout history. Make something brown.
I actually like brown.
It’s a great color that (in my opinion) accentuates almost any other color. Its softer then black and cooler then white when making color combinations. Brown also comes in a lot of different shades from dark chocolate to golden and soft nougat. It’s also been a (more or les=) popular color throughout history.
Here are some of my brown pieces I’ve added t my historical wardrobe theses past years:
One of my favorite dresses is this 1780s robe a la Anglaise in a lovely flowery cotton matched with a golden petticoat and brown stockings.
1850s lend itself great to the brown color pallet.
This walking dress in printed cotton makes an impact on everyone around.
The dress also comes with an evening bodice.
A photo from 1929 inspired this simple cotton dress, the brown boots and white collar ads perfectly to the authenticity.
Who knew a 1880s evening gown in brown could be so glamours. The light teal skirt, white gloves and the dark brown fringe perfectly sets of the nougat in the gown.
The same 1880s trained bodice, paired with leather pants and heavy duty boots, also works for a softer Steampunk style.
Simple rural 18th century woolen bodice in light nougat/dark beige perfectly matches the plaid in the skirt and the softness in the nature all around.
18th century menswear in a wide spectrum of brown hues, with the coat as the obvious focal point, matched with golden/brown waistcoat and beige/brown suede breeches.
A simple white shirt made fabulous with the help of a nice brown 1990s woolen skirt and cola colored belt.
This dark chocolate 18th century skirt reads as black, but makes a softer contrast to the white apron and stockings then black. The bodice is actually yellow with purple stripes, but can very well be read as brown.
Dark wine paired with chocolate brown makes for a serene medieval picture.
Golden poly knit makes for a nice Egyptian masquerade costume.
I’ve also made several accessories to my costumes:
Brown fake fur hat, matched with bought fake fur muff and fox stole, worn with my 1900s walking outfit.
A 1660s (or any period really) fake fur stole/shawl.
Chocolate velvet sleeveless spencer, made to go with my yellow regency gown.
Velvet cape trimmed with fake fur and 1840s velvet bonnet, make for some pretty Dickensien winter picture..
Sometimes the simplest of items make a huge different, This 1550s outfit wouldn’t be complete without the brown apron.
What do you think of the color brown?
Fashion Through Herstory 