Okay, so I’ve been totally obsessed with 18th-century fashion lately, especially the gothic vibes. I decided I had to try and recreate a look myself. It was…an experience, let me tell you.
Diving In Head First (and Getting Lost)
First, I scoured the internet for inspiration. I looked at tons of portraits and museum exhibits online. I quickly realized that “gothic” in the 1700s wasn’t exactly what I thought. It was more about dark colors, rich fabrics, and a certain dramatic flair, not necessarily skulls and chains.
I spent hours, seriously, hours, just looking at pictures. I printed out a bunch that I really liked and stuck them all over my wall. My room looked like a crazy person’s lair, but it helped!
The Struggle Was Real (Finding the Right Stuff)
Next up was the actual clothing. This was the hardest part. I didn’t want to just buy a costume; I wanted to try and put together something using things I could actually wear again (maybe?).
- I hit up every thrift store in town. I found a long, black velvet skirt that was kinda close, but it needed some serious alterations.
- I looked online for patterns, but honestly, 18th-century patterns are complicated. Way beyond my skill level.
- I ended up finding a local seamstress who was willing to help me out. She was amazing! I would not finish this work without her help.
Putting It All Together (and Almost Giving Up)
After weeks of searching and sewing (mostly the seamstress sewing, let’s be real), I finally had something resembling an outfit. I managed to find a dark, lacy top at a vintage store, and I borrowed some old-fashioned jewelry from my grandma.
Getting dressed was another adventure. Corsets are no joke. I definitely needed help lacing myself in. And the hair! I tried to do some kind of elaborate updo, but it ended up looking more like a bird’s nest. I settled for a simpler style with some dark ribbons.
The Final Look (and Feeling Pretty Awesome)
Finally, I put on the whole outfit, added some dramatic makeup (lots of dark eyeliner, of course), and…wow. I actually felt like I had stepped out of a history book. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but I was pretty proud of myself for pulling it off.
It was a ton of work, but it was also super fun. I learned so much about 18th-century fashion, and I definitely have a new appreciation for how much effort went into getting dressed back then. Would I do it again? Maybe. But I’m definitely taking a break from corsets for a while!
