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Post by nararabbit on Sept 1, 2012 17:33:03 GMT -5
This outfit is worn by Caroline in the book Caroline's Secret Message. It was released in 2012 and retired with archival in 2015.When the lake wind starts to blow, Caroline wears this wool-blend spencer jacket—it features a cropped silhouette, a popular style in the early 1800s; button details; and intricate decorations at the shoulders. She shades her eyes with a wide-brimmed felt hat adorned with a striped ribbon bow.Caroline's Spencer Jacket, while adorable, was more than a little tight on my chubby MG, though it fit Rosalie (Cécile) just fine! Because of the style, the shoulders of any doll tend to look like a Linebacker... oh well! The peachy rose fabric is trimmed with a darker rosy red, very flattering and pretty. The fabric itself is thick, fuzzy woven material - like real suiting instead of cheap thin cotton. Yeah! The hat is a tour de force! The style is so darling and looks especially cute with curls peeking out underneath. I personally think this set is worth buying just for her hat! It's just that cute! It's also quite firm, similar to the fabric in Ruthie's Play Outfit hat, I could see it getting crushed pretty easily so I'd recommend storing it safely when not in use.
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Mad Celtic Midwife
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Post by Mad Celtic Midwife on Sept 2, 2012 16:58:46 GMT -5
This set is so pretty! The spencer is a nice, thick wool, and very well made. It does have a hefty feel at the shoulders, but looks appropriate when on. The bonnet is gorgeous. The traveling outfit with this spencer and bonnet is amazing! A+
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Cyn
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Post by Cyn on Sept 5, 2012 21:51:55 GMT -5
Ditto the above from irishnurse - the color is gorgeous, and the fabrics used are just wonderful. I think the weight of the hat is similar to that from Addy's purple Sunday dress, although much softer fabric and not as stiff. The ribbon that ties on is a little thin, both in width and texture, but it does stay tied, so not too slippery. Pics! IMG_0011_rev by cbddallas, on Flickr IMG_0009_rev by cbddallas, on Flickr IMG_0015_rev by cbddallas, on Flickr IMG_0013_rev by cbddallas, on Flickr IMG_0019_rev by cbddallas, on Flickr
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sharayahlynn
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Post by sharayahlynn on Sept 30, 2012 22:02:35 GMT -5
I just love this set! Caroline hasn't tried it on yet, but the jacket is just a little bit tight on my Maddie (#24). Otherwise, it's perfect. The fabric is nice and thick. The hat is adorable, both on and off the doll. Grade: A+
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2012 21:24:35 GMT -5
I LOVE the Spencer and Hat. The color is vibrant, but in a very good way. As stated in my Travel Dress review, it is pink with pizzazz. I love the thick, wool-like material they used for the spencer. It isn't just a cute accessory; it really would keep Caroline snug and warm out on the water. The hat is just perfect. It's a perfect shape, and it's stiff and pretty crush-proof. Just a really beautiful set. These together with the Travel Dress are one of the most impressive outfits I've ever seen from AG. I'd say it's definitely worth the price tag.
scarlett1854
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Post by Wickfield on Aug 25, 2013 21:21:51 GMT -5
I got this set along with the matching travel outfit for my bday yesterday. It is a beautiful combination, Caroline absolutely glows with warmth when she is wearing the entire combo! The accuracy of the hat is a little suspect in my opinion - I haven't really seen any felt bonnets or hats during the Regency period, at least not in 1811/1812 like Caroline's period (there are some from later years, like late 1820s or early 1830s though). So the fact that it is felt is a little odd, although the shape is correct, so maybe it's supposed to imitate wool covered buckram or something instead of actual felt. But the color is very nice and it is made of a good quality felt material that seems pretty durable compared to, say, the felt hat from Kit's school suit. I appreciate the extra ties to keep it on Caroline's head. Similarly, the cut of the spencer also seems a little fashion-forward for Caroline specifically (considering her battle dress and lavender dress shown in the illustrations, and her actual meet dress, are all slightly retro/outdated styles by 1812), although not impossible, I believe it might have been based off of a style similar to one worn by Lizzie Bennet in the 1995 P&P (http://www.jennylafleur.com/diary/em09/pnp2_446.jpg). I think I would have preferred a more basic cut myself - it's almost like Caroline should have swapped spencer's with Josefina. /history nerd observations Anyway, the spencer as it exists is still really nice. The material is very high quality - what feels to me to be wool flannel trimmed with velveteen. It velcros up the front but I actually don't mind, it is much easier to maneuver than the tiny buttons on Josefina's spencer. I also prefer the slightly lighter weight of the jacket and it doesn't seem over-heavy compared to the dress. Even though there's a whole lot of action going on at the shoulders, it doesn't really look too bad in person. So I would rate this maybe a B- for accuracy (for Caroline's character/lifestyle according to the books), but an A- for aesthetics!
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Post by lisaloo812 on Oct 18, 2013 21:28:39 GMT -5
I picked up Caroline's spencer and hat to go along with her travel dress. The good - the color and material are gorgeous, so rich and vibrant. The not so good - I'm not thrilled with the fit of the spencer, it rides up a bit and I'm not a fan of the Velcro (I had a bit of a time with Josefina's buttons, but it lies so nicely that it was worth it). A-
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Post by Aisling on Feb 24, 2015 3:25:14 GMT -5
This set is completely stunning! I mostly got it for the hat but ended up liking the spencer as well. The spencer was a big snug on my Phillippa (Isabelle) but she was wearing a shift and Felicity's spring gown underneath. The coral color is just lovely especially on her. The buttons are not functional, they are decorative over a strip of Velcro. Still beautiful constructed, and the sleeve detailing is quite unique and pleasing. It is a thick wool like fabric and not chintzy at all! The hat.. Oh, goodness, the hat... I am in love! So we made and so beautiful. It's a wonderful size and the brim was nice a neat when I opened the box. The stiff, wool like material is very nice. However, I'm not a fan of the tiny ribbons. They just don't look right to me in comparison with this big hat and decoration. Also, the hat really has to be pushed down on a dolls head to get it to fit. Otherwise it kind of slides off. We don't have this set paired with the travel dress as I'm not a fan and I think it would he too monotonous. Also, my daughter's Maplelea Jenna is wearing the travel dress currently (; Overall a gorgeous set.
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Post by WildPigeonChase on Jul 3, 2015 21:32:57 GMT -5
Gorgeous set!
The spencer: At first the sleeve detail seemed a bit wild, but it grows on you. Plus the fabric, including the velvet trim feels luxurious. It's cropped to empire waist height and has 3 decorative buttons in the front (it closes with velcro under). I would have preferred real buttons, but after dealing with the ones on Josefina's black spencer I can understand the velcro for kids.
The hat: A stiff bonnet that fans out from her face. It fastens under her chin with a thin cream-colored ribbon, which I actually prefer to the bigger ribbon of her meet bonnet. That one always seems to bunch up around her chin and look out of scale. This one looks much more in 1/3 scale proportion.
I'll also note for the hat that I was surprised with the color when I opened the box. It's not solid coral, but has cream threads (that almost look lint) blended in. It looks nice, but surprised me since it doesn't seem to show in photos well.
I really like the set over Josefina's spring dress, which Caroline is modeling. It picks up some of the red flower details.
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Post by sehiniker on Jul 21, 2015 20:57:09 GMT -5
This is a really cute set! I love the jacket especially. The shoulder detail is darling. I do, wish that the jacket actually buttoned like Josefina's Spencer, but understand that little fingers may find that difficult. I may swap the velcro for snaps.
The hat is fantastic as well, however, the material the hat itself is made out of seem a bit cheap and it feels like the brim would get bent easily.
Overall, I would really recommend this set.
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Post by JustMagicMaria on Oct 5, 2015 18:18:31 GMT -5
What a lovely set! The shoulder details really make the Spencer jacket unique and pretty.
The ribbon detail on the hat is gorgeous.
Grade: A
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Post by bhaythie on Dec 18, 2020 0:13:17 GMT -5
One word to describe this set is stunning. Like I want this jacket and bonnet in my size. The dark coral color is very flattering and prettier than the typical AG pink. The dark red trim on the jacket helps tie in the red boots and flowers on the travel dress. The puffed style of the sleeves with the layering fabric is very pretty and unique. I would have preferred real buttons instead to the velcro closure. The bonnet is beautiful and I love that the ties are a very thin ribbon instead of the wide kind used in Caroline's Meet Bonnet. Grade: A
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Post by QNPoohBear on May 23, 2023 16:54:04 GMT -5
This looks like a nice, well-made set. The Spencer is thick woolen like material. The color is pretty fashionable for the time. It does not match Disney Frozen (Anna) cape but it does coordinate OK.
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Post by keeperofthepast on Jul 11, 2023 15:27:03 GMT -5
A friend has this and it is lovely The spencer is nice and thick and has beautiful detail on the shoulders. The bonnet is sweet although I don't believe accurate to the era being wool. The color is gorgeous.
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