I recently read (will try to hunt down the source, so this isn't official)
that they normally wore the train over one arm. The point was to bring the
skirt close to the legs to emphasize the "nearly naked" look.
So trains didn't trail, they helped you look naughty. ;-)
And they stayed clean! The few trained muslin dresses I've seen had
suspiciously unstained trains. I'd wondered how the museums had gotten the
mud out without damaging the fabric.
Happy sewing,
Deb Salisbury
The Mantua-Maker
Designer and creator of quality historical sewing patterns, Renaissance
to Victorian
Now available:
Elephant's Breath and London Smoke: Historical Colors, Names,
Definitions & Uses
www.mantua-maker.com
http://mantua-maker-patterns.blogspot.com
I'm looking to make my first (non-fantasy-tinged) Regency gown, out of
white on white windowpane cotton.
I am finding that during my target time period (1800-1810) many (all?)
dresses had a train, even for day.
I'm considering eliminating this to reduce wear and tear (it's fine
white fabric after all), but if I choose to make one, what can I do to
minimize damage? Is it documented to include a lining, or loop the
train up, or detach it in some way? Arnold and Bradfield aren't
showing much so far, except for looped-up riding gowns, which isn't
the style I'm after.
Thoughts?
And thanks in advance,
Allison T.
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