Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Answer...

I can't fool you guys... both are antique corsets and both were made in 1890! I am not a corset expert, but was so surprised that such vibrant colors were used at a time when most riding suit colors were limited to brown and black!

1886 riding habit.

This one is from 1890.

These 2 are from 1897.

Beautiful...just beautiful!!
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3 comments:

  1. MichelleApril 12, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    That is interesting! I never would have guessed the hot pink one was antique! I wonder what they used to dye it that color back then?

    Love the 1886 habit! And the 1886 waistline... can I have one of those too?

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  2. sidesaddlegirlApril 13, 2012 at 1:35 AM

    Chemical dyes were invented in the 1850's and the Victorians went nuts for them as before, they only had vegetable dyes which are unable to give very vivid or unusual colors.
    Some dresses from the 1860's are so colorful that they look garish to our eyes but to the Victorians, it was wonderful being able to have any color you wanted in a dress other than what the dye maker could concoct out of vegetable dyes.

    The reason why riding habits were often dark colors, is because horses are messy business as we all know. The dark colors just hid the dirt, horse sweat and horse well well.

    Sometimes you do see green habits and other colors weren't unknown like purple and burgundy but fashion commentators advised against unusual colors as you would just end up looking like fashion victim.

    Here is a 1860's corset I used to have and it was the bright red color as when it was first made back then :)
    http://www.antiquecorsetgallery.com/article.php?article=42

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  3. MichelleApril 13, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Too neat Lei! Thanks for the info! I have to say, I think it would be so much fun to have a hot pink, historically correct riding corset under a super modest "proper" riding habit! Nobody would guess what's under there! lol

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