Post by Wickfield on Mar 7, 2014 15:12:10 GMT -5
Okay, so this stupid nightgown won me over.
Originally, I didn't plan on getting it and basically hated it's guts because I didn't feel it was accurate at ALL with the embroidery pattern and the ribbons on the front, but it grew on me a little and because I am a neurotic completionist I decided to get it with free shipping. And it is much, much cuter and sweeter in real life, dangit.
The basic design and the lace edging is actually accurate - the cut is like the shifts girls wore under their dresses and to sleep at night. The embroidery even makes sense for this particular character since she embroiders everything, and the design was more accurate than I thought - initially the daisies looked too "groovy", more like a Julie flower than a Regency one, but once I did some research that kind of flower does turn up in Regency embroidery. I had a picture (which, of course, I can't find now) closer to Caroline's time period, but here are some examples from the 1820s for now: www.ekduncan.com/2011/10/regency-era-needlework-patterns-from_13.html
What really messes up the accuracy is the lace and ribbons up the front of the nightgown, I wish they had just left those off and maybe put some bows on the sleeves or something. With those ribbons it takes it from being a "regency night shift" to being a "regency-inspired nightgown." Which I guess works for selling nightgowns in girl-size, but doesn't work for accuracy.
BUT it is still really really cute, and I have to admit I am more glad that I bought it than I thought. It is also not as creamy in real life, more like an "off" white than a cream.
The slippers are also really cute, they look like you could use them as regular shoes, too.
So for accuracy, it gets a C+, but for aesthetics (and cuteness) it gets an A!
Originally, I didn't plan on getting it and basically hated it's guts because I didn't feel it was accurate at ALL with the embroidery pattern and the ribbons on the front, but it grew on me a little and because I am a neurotic completionist I decided to get it with free shipping. And it is much, much cuter and sweeter in real life, dangit.
The basic design and the lace edging is actually accurate - the cut is like the shifts girls wore under their dresses and to sleep at night. The embroidery even makes sense for this particular character since she embroiders everything, and the design was more accurate than I thought - initially the daisies looked too "groovy", more like a Julie flower than a Regency one, but once I did some research that kind of flower does turn up in Regency embroidery. I had a picture (which, of course, I can't find now) closer to Caroline's time period, but here are some examples from the 1820s for now: www.ekduncan.com/2011/10/regency-era-needlework-patterns-from_13.html
What really messes up the accuracy is the lace and ribbons up the front of the nightgown, I wish they had just left those off and maybe put some bows on the sleeves or something. With those ribbons it takes it from being a "regency night shift" to being a "regency-inspired nightgown." Which I guess works for selling nightgowns in girl-size, but doesn't work for accuracy.
BUT it is still really really cute, and I have to admit I am more glad that I bought it than I thought. It is also not as creamy in real life, more like an "off" white than a cream.
The slippers are also really cute, they look like you could use them as regular shoes, too.
So for accuracy, it gets a C+, but for aesthetics (and cuteness) it gets an A!