New to Historic Dressing?

Are you new to historic dressing? If you are just starting out in this exciting wardrobe adventure, here are some of my favorite educational links for the eras I enjoy. This is not an exhuastive list for every era of fashion (obviously!) but the ones I have personally enjoyed and can personally recommend. As I research more about other eras, I will add to this list. If any of my lovely readers have favorite fashion era sites not listed here, please let me know in the comment section! Have fun! :)

~ The 18th Century ~

• New England 18th Century ~ Informational articles
• Mara Riley ~ Informational articles, patterns
• Sharon Ann Burnston ~ informational articles, baby layette instructions
• The Village Green Clothier ~ Sharon Burnstons dressmaking site, beautiful reproductions for sale
• Marquise 18th Century Site ~ informational articles, how-to's
• Cherry Dawson ~ currently being renovated, but excellent stay making articles available here.

~ The Regency ~

I do not have many links for the regency era, since much of my research has been through books rather than online sites. If any of you know of other good regency fashion sites, please let me know!

• Oregon Regency Society ~ information articles, tutorials and helpful tips
• Jessamyns Regency Costume Companion ~ great overview of regency fashion, helpful articles, pattern reviews
• Regency Gown Construction Tips ~ tips and advice for creating a period correct regency gown
• Sense and Sensibility Vintage Images-Regency ~ paintings, drawings and depictions of fashion styles from the regency era
• ZipZips Vintage Sewing ~ a blog with great articles on regency and early regency styles.

~ The Romantic ~

Again, I do not have many links for the Romantic Era, since this transitional era of fashion seems often to be overlooked in the costuming world. I have not found a site with good informational articles on various aspects of dress in this period. Most of my knowledge has come through viewing photos of extant clothing, fashion plates, dressmaking manuals and pattern books. Please share any other sites you may have for this era.

• Vintage Textile Antique Clothing-Early ~ 18th c. through early Victorian fashion. There are often some nice romantic era pieces with very clear, detailed photographs, often of the inside construction as well!
• Revisiting the Romantic Era ~ a great collection of primary sources for inspiration and education.
• The Sangamon Settler ~ one of my "other" blogs. This is very much a work-in-progress. I have a lot more I want to eventually put into this blog as time allows. Focusing on working class, plain attire that may have been worn by settlers in mid-central IL during the 1820's and 1830's.

~ The Victorian ~

• Elizabeth Stewart Clarks Site ~ educational articles, free patterns, to-purchase patterns, dressmaking books, this site has it all!
• The Sewing Academy ~ Mrs. Clarks message forum, focusing on recreating the styles of 1845-1865.
• The Graceful Lady ~ custom dressmaking and a fabulous gallery of original images and clothing to browse for inspiration
• Historical Help ~ A great jumping off point for new female Civil War reenactors
• Originals-by-Kay ~ custom dressmaking, patterns and helpful articles
• Why Not Then ~ great articles and an inspirational gallery of modern recreations of historic fashion from this era
• Atlantic Guard Soldiers Aid Society Clothing Guidelines ~ a good overview of appropriate working class attire