![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chocolatepotLast night, Dad pointed out that my obsessive researching of 1780s fashion terminology is actually applicable to my thesis, so today I went even more obsessive. Here are all my results!
Robe à la ...
Polonaise: three-seam back construction, draped-up skirt, skirt cut with no front corners.
Circassienne: same as previous plus tassel trims, short sleeve over long sleeve OR over full muslin sleeve.
Turque: short sleeve over longer one, three-seam back with no waist seam, big sash.
Lévite: long sleeves, tassels and sashes, shawl collar.
Levantine: short/long sleeve, open front.
Sultane: edging around the skirt and neckline, open in front.
Reine: possibly wide sleeves and a kind of draped-up skirt.
I'm having a hard time expressing something about all of this. On the one hand, they had all of these names for a reason, and it's important to know which one is which and to use them properly. On the other, they certainly weren't standardized and I don't want to give the impression that you can only ever call something with a Lévite collar a Lévite - something can be a turque with sleeves à la circassienne, or a style that is generally loose and waistless can be worn fitted. I think I'm too tired and have been overthinking all this.
Robe à la ...
Polonaise: three-seam back construction, draped-up skirt, skirt cut with no front corners.
Circassienne: same as previous plus tassel trims, short sleeve over long sleeve OR over full muslin sleeve.
Turque: short sleeve over longer one, three-seam back with no waist seam, big sash.
Lévite: long sleeves, tassels and sashes, shawl collar.
Levantine: short/long sleeve, open front.
Sultane: edging around the skirt and neckline, open in front.
Reine: possibly wide sleeves and a kind of draped-up skirt.
I'm having a hard time expressing something about all of this. On the one hand, they had all of these names for a reason, and it's important to know which one is which and to use them properly. On the other, they certainly weren't standardized and I don't want to give the impression that you can only ever call something with a Lévite collar a Lévite - something can be a turque with sleeves à la circassienne, or a style that is generally loose and waistless can be worn fitted. I think I'm too tired and have been overthinking all this.
