Fashion 1830-1836

This is the era of the printed cottons! Probably no other period in time brought forth such cheerful, exuberant printed cottons, linens and mixed fabrics (mainly wool and silk) as the early 1830s. With the industrial revolution in full swing in Great Britain and the Continental blockade by Napoleon a thing of the past, British cottons were exported to all corners of the world, but primarily to Continental Europe . These wefted goods were accessible, beautiful and affordable by the  burgeoning middle class. Rumour has it that those  colorful and cheerful prints were most welcome since they would hide stains and stitching faults much better than  plain fabrics! At least it would make life easier for the ladies! The silk industry in France was not yet as mechanized as the textile industry in England, so silks were very expensive and still the privilege of the upper classes.

Hats were a different matter - silk was used for some, while most were made from straw braid, fine embroidered mousseline, tulle, lace and ribbons. Mainly flowers , feathers and ribbons were used for decoration. Fichus were worn copiously, mainly of  embroidered white mousseline or  tulle.

All garments in this project are made from cotton or a mixture of cotton and silk, and linen for the corset, in kleeping with the times. It was thoroughly enjoyable to work with such cheerful fabrics and I hope you enjoy the results.