Fasion of 1780's
Engageantes are false sleeves worn with women's clothing in the 18th century. They took the form of ruffles or flounces of linen, cotton, or lace, and were often tacked inside the elbow-length sleeves so they could be removed for cleaning. There are some wonderful examples of extant sleeve 'ruffles' or 'flounces' at http://www.larsdatter.com/18c/engageantes.html and there is a Mill Farm Pattern. We see them in portraits from the mid-18th Century, and whilst mostly worn by the upper classes, there are images of them worn around the home. In the portrait below we see the shift showing under the outer sleeve ruffles of a laundress, though this one looks a little too genteel to my eyes. “Laundress” by Henry Robert Morland I found this image showing an elaborate sleeve ruffle - three outer ruffles joined by two inner silk organza ruffles. Joseph Blackburn, 1762 Today I pinned my sleeve flounces into the sleeve to get an idea what they looked like. I have made mine from an extremely sheer light cream silk cotton fabric that goes well with both my colouring and with the cream silk of the gown. I'm hoping that when I add the outer silk flounces that they will support these inner flounces a bit more. Next time I'd like to try using a stiffer silk organza. If you want a pair of engageants just like this I am happy to take orders in my Etsy store. I have plenty of this silk cotton fabric in either white or ivory (pictured).
At the Kent State University Museum we have a permanent exhibition, “Fashion Timeline,” that surveys historic fashions from the 18th century through the mid-20th century. (Website). Be…
Please note that most of the dresses presented here in our Etsy store are just examples of our old work for clients. These are not ready made dresses for sale. We realize only customized dresses and we DON'T HAVE SHORT DEADLINES. Therefore, before you make a purchase, please ask us for details in a private message. If you make a purchase without reading this description - we do not accept cancellation of the transaction. We do not accept returns and resignations from an already ordered dress during sewing or after sending it (does not apply to tailoring corrections), because our dresses are made to measure and based on a design that is created individually for each customer. By clicking "buy it now" - you accept our terms. We accept payment plans discussed individually with each client. We are small fashion house Atelier Saint-Honore and we make all designs individually for each clients. All dresses are sewn for measures. We use traditional haute couture techniques like fine hand made finishes, hand made embroidery and artistique techniques of decorations. We offer the highest quality custom service and the best materials. Please ask in private for more details.
Please note that most of the dresses presented here in our Etsy store are just examples of our old work for clients. These are not ready made dresses for sale. We realize only customized dresses and we DON'T HAVE SHORT DEADLINES. Therefore, before you make a purchase, please ask us for details in a private message. If you make a purchase without reading this description - we do not accept cancellation of the transaction. We do not accept returns and resignations from an already ordered dress during sewing or after sending it (does not apply to tailoring corrections), because our dresses are made to measure and based on a design that is created individually for each customer. By clicking "buy it now" - you accept our terms. We accept payment plans discussed individually with each client. We are small fashion house Atelier Saint-Honore and we make all designs individually for each clients. All dresses are sewn for measures. We use traditional haute couture techniques like fine hand made finishes, hand made embroidery and artistique techniques of decorations. We offer the highest quality custom service and the best materials. Please ask in private for more details.
These are examples of what is called a robe à la polonaise. As a non-native but fluent French speaker, I always mentally translated its name as a “dress in the Polish style”, like robe…
Woman's overdress of hand-painted and dyed cotton, Coromandel Coast, ca. 1760-1770
