Silky prints and flamboyant ruffles. Rich colours and frilly lace. Personal tailors hand sewing the latest fashions from Europe. Just a few signs of a privileged life during the Regency period of 1812 in Niagara.
“Everybody thinks the colours were drab or they didn't have a lot of colour, but there actually was quite a lot of colour and print in the fabrics as well,” explains seamstress Linda Hanna of Linda's Early Fashions. “But there was a cost associated with that. As far as colours, if you went into the printed fabrics it was more money. The more colour and elegant fabric you had showed your wealth.”
Fashion has always been prevalent in history. Styles were influenced by Europe and fabrics were shipped in for those who could afford to dress with the elegance of a true fashionista.
“Woman who ran homes and the upper-class were always trying to keep in vogue with what was going on,” Hanna says. “They were interested in fashion and wanted to know what was going on in Europe. When the fashion did arrive here, it was already in vogue over there for a period of time. And the only way it made it here was through the upper-class society.”
Those wanting to wear the latest fashions not only had to pay for fabric to be shipped in, they also had to pay tailors to bring the fabric to life.
“The only way you could have a tailor to create the clothes was if you had money. For the most part all of the clothing was created here once the cloth was brought over. They didn't really have stores where you could go in and buy a dress on display. You bought the cloth and you made it. It was really a different time. The tailors were used for people who could afford to have clothing in style and the type of fabric used really did state what your level was in society,” says Hanna.
“The more lace that is worn on a lady's outfit meant she was on the higher end of society,” says seamstress Beverley Smith, of Outside In Interior Art Design. “It was only the rich men that could have the lace and silks and satins.”
And along with keeping in vogue with the latest European fashions, there were other trends for maintaining one's sense of style.
“Men always had short hair and were clean shaven,” says Hanna. “Pocket watches with a fancy fobe that hooked on to their vests were a big thing. And they wore gloves if they were going to an evening dance.”
And the women?
“Hair was always up and there were a lot of ringlets,” Hanna explains. “Hair could also have flowers, beads or pearls weaved into it. If you were working in the home you would have a cap on, and if you went outside you would always put a straw bonnet over top of your cap…and for jewellery it was something small, like pearls.”
There were a few social faux pas to avoid.
“Women always had to have gloves on and they were not allowed to show their elbows or ankles. During the day she would wear what is called a fichu, which is a triangular scarf that goes around (the shoulders) and tucks into clothing. She would always keep that on unless she was going to an afternoon tea, and then it could be removed,” Hanna says. “In the evening she wouldn't have to wear it at all. It's quite amazing because a woman wasn't allowed to show her elbows or ankles, but she could show everything on top.”
Choice fabrics and brilliant colours made it clear what class a person belonged to, but this doesn't mean commoners were not proud of their clothing.
“Embroidery was very big back then,” explains Smith. “It's what the ladies would do in the evenings and afternoons. They would sit and do a lot of their fancy work, which is hidden because they'd do it along their chemise linings. And riding coats and winter jacket linings would have all this fabulous embroideries.”
Commoners often wore wools and cottons and dyed their fabrics using what was available in the natural environment.
“Most of the fancy fabric would have come in from Europe for the high class,” says Smith. “But commoners wore wool and cottons and even plain muslin dresses with their chemise. They dyed clothing using beets, onions and vegetables. Clothing was also passed down from generation to generation.”
Both Smith and Hanna have been busy creating replica clothing during the past few months. Authentic outfits are in high demand from those wanting to participate in War of 1812 bicentennial events.
“The interest is incredible in Niagara,” says Hanna.
Hanna and Smith use authentic patterns and materials and stay true to the period when making clothing.
“These are not costumes,” Smith says. “These are replica clothing.”
Contact Linda's Early Fashions at 905-770-4743 or email lindasearlyfashions@yahoo.com.
Contact Outside In Interior Art Design at 905-356-3176 or email outsidein4218@yahoo.ca.
“Everybody thinks the colours were drab or they didn't have a lot of colour, but there actually was quite a lot of colour and print in the fabrics as well,” explains seamstress Linda Hanna of Linda's Early Fashions. “But there was a cost associated with that. As far as colours, if you went into the printed fabrics it was more money. The more colour and elegant fabric you had showed your wealth.”
Fashion has always been prevalent in history. Styles were influenced by Europe and fabrics were shipped in for those who could afford to dress with the elegance of a true fashionista.
“Woman who ran homes and the upper-class were always trying to keep in vogue with what was going on,” Hanna says. “They were interested in fashion and wanted to know what was going on in Europe. When the fashion did arrive here, it was already in vogue over there for a period of time. And the only way it made it here was through the upper-class society.”
Those wanting to wear the latest fashions not only had to pay for fabric to be shipped in, they also had to pay tailors to bring the fabric to life.
“The only way you could have a tailor to create the clothes was if you had money. For the most part all of the clothing was created here once the cloth was brought over. They didn't really have stores where you could go in and buy a dress on display. You bought the cloth and you made it. It was really a different time. The tailors were used for people who could afford to have clothing in style and the type of fabric used really did state what your level was in society,” says Hanna.
“The more lace that is worn on a lady's outfit meant she was on the higher end of society,” says seamstress Beverley Smith, of Outside In Interior Art Design. “It was only the rich men that could have the lace and silks and satins.”
And along with keeping in vogue with the latest European fashions, there were other trends for maintaining one's sense of style.
“Men always had short hair and were clean shaven,” says Hanna. “Pocket watches with a fancy fobe that hooked on to their vests were a big thing. And they wore gloves if they were going to an evening dance.”
And the women?
“Hair was always up and there were a lot of ringlets,” Hanna explains. “Hair could also have flowers, beads or pearls weaved into it. If you were working in the home you would have a cap on, and if you went outside you would always put a straw bonnet over top of your cap…and for jewellery it was something small, like pearls.”
There were a few social faux pas to avoid.
“Women always had to have gloves on and they were not allowed to show their elbows or ankles. During the day she would wear what is called a fichu, which is a triangular scarf that goes around (the shoulders) and tucks into clothing. She would always keep that on unless she was going to an afternoon tea, and then it could be removed,” Hanna says. “In the evening she wouldn't have to wear it at all. It's quite amazing because a woman wasn't allowed to show her elbows or ankles, but she could show everything on top.”
Choice fabrics and brilliant colours made it clear what class a person belonged to, but this doesn't mean commoners were not proud of their clothing.
“Embroidery was very big back then,” explains Smith. “It's what the ladies would do in the evenings and afternoons. They would sit and do a lot of their fancy work, which is hidden because they'd do it along their chemise linings. And riding coats and winter jacket linings would have all this fabulous embroideries.”
Commoners often wore wools and cottons and dyed their fabrics using what was available in the natural environment.
“Most of the fancy fabric would have come in from Europe for the high class,” says Smith. “But commoners wore wool and cottons and even plain muslin dresses with their chemise. They dyed clothing using beets, onions and vegetables. Clothing was also passed down from generation to generation.”
Both Smith and Hanna have been busy creating replica clothing during the past few months. Authentic outfits are in high demand from those wanting to participate in War of 1812 bicentennial events.
“The interest is incredible in Niagara,” says Hanna.
Hanna and Smith use authentic patterns and materials and stay true to the period when making clothing.
“These are not costumes,” Smith says. “These are replica clothing.”
Contact Linda's Early Fashions at 905-770-4743 or email lindasearlyfashions@yahoo.com.
Contact Outside In Interior Art Design at 905-356-3176 or email outsidein4218@yahoo.ca.
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