Edwardian Kilts?

[creativeaccents]

Over the past few weeks the wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed the many Sherlock Holmes episodes featuring Jeremy Brett. The attention to detail far exceeds most modern productions, especially in terms of the styling of the apparel of the Edwardian menswear. Realizing that much we we associate with kiltwear is from the Victorian era, might any of you know how the kilt went with the high collars, bow ties, top hats, bowlers, long topcoats and the clean, dashing lines of Edward's time? On several episodes Watson wears a tweed that would go well, but not sure of how the other styles were addressed in the kilted world.

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

You may want to look into Queens Victoria's companion John Brown and what was worn by the staff at Balmoral Castle. The Movie "Mrs.Brown" was based on their relationship.

I have quite a few books about the Victorian/Edwardian era, and if my memory serves, kilts were not an everyday item except for ghillies. (I am basing this on the social circles that Holmes would have worked for) Kilts were worn on special occasions, such as dinners at London’s Caledonia club.

Mind you these facts are just from memory; I will double check when I get home from work to my Library.

Sara
who thanks to a really slow day at work, has been able to post today.

[Cynthia]

I admit, this is a subject that fascinates me too I love the bustle era the most (slightly before the Holmes stories), but really... I just love some of those old fashions! I sewed my first bustle gown before my husband and I finally got into kilts, and then had to put the sewing stuff away for a little while. I've recently been itching to sew again (I still have to keep it on the back burner for a little while longer), but admittedly I would love to occasionally have the hubby dress in the kilt to match my gowns so I've been curious about kilted men's fashions of that time

Those Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett are great, aren't they? I haven't seen all of them, but the few I've seen I have really enjoyed.

It's been a while since I've read the Holmes stories. My Mother-in-law gave me a newer collection that contains the novels and I've held off reading it until I get the set that has the short stories in it. I can't wait to sit down with something nice to drink and enjoy reading through it again (maybe when it gets a bit cooler here and a nice rainy day... so it'll be a while I'm sure!).

Oh, what the heck... I'll post a photo since AlanH had asked me to do that a little while back... again, this is not Edwardian, but I just love those old fashions! You feel SO wonderful with all of those layers. I'm still fairly new to sewing and had to figure out most of these patterns and trims on my own, but it was fun



I would SO love to do a plaid bustle gown sometime. I've already been looking through some of my fashionplates and books for ideas. I'll eventually get around to an Edwardian outfit someday as well, I'm sure.

If you do make any garments from this era or find any fascinating information regarding the kilts, please share it with us!

[Riverkilt]

How elegant!

A lot of those old time gowns are showing up with the current surge of interest in the old west. Places like www.wildwestmercantile.com and others have the gowns made up and patterns.

Ron

[Galician]

Cynthia, surely you are going to use the whalebone corsets which would have been worn under them!

[creativeaccents]

Cynthia,
Not trying to plug Netflix as I'm not wild about how they manage to delay shipments to control the flow even while advertising unlimited viewing, but they do have most of the Sherlocks by Brett and others. They also have a wonderful collection of other English series. The wife and I would love to have a boutique of nothing bu the Edwardian styles for men and women. There is just something about the styles and panache of that era that is unmatched by others. I would even love to find a source for either the men's patterns or premades.

[Cynthia]

Cynthia, surely you are going to use the whalebone corsets which would have been worn under them!

Well, not whalebone, but I do have a corset with steel boning that I made. I've got a lot of layers on under there

Cynthia,
Not trying to plug Netflix as I'm not wild about how they manage to delay shipments to control the flow even while advertising unlimited viewing, but they do have most of the Sherlocks by Brett and others. They also have a wonderful collection of other English series. The wife and I would love to have a boutique of nothing bu the Edwardian styles for men and women. There is just something about the styles and panache of that era that is unmatched by others. I would even love to find a source for either the men's patterns or premades.

Ohhh, thanks for that tip! I keep meaning to try something like Netflix, but we just haven't had a chance yet. I'll have to check into that when we do eventually sign up.

I have a frock coat pattern as well as a shirt pattern (Laughing Moon Mercantile) for men, but I haven't made them yet and I can't remember what the eras covered are for them. I've purchased most of my patterns from a place called Truly Victorian (including the Laughing Moon patterns), but I'm sure there has to be other patterns out there for men's wear (if not, what a shame -- it's been a while since I've looked). Riverkilt is right that a lot of the wild west mercantile type places do carry the Victorian/Edwardian era style clothing although I think a lot of it seems to be more frontier-related and not as fancy as some of the drool-worthy styles I have seen in photos and fashion plates (of course, I'm sure items like that would cost a bundle to sell).

I was also wondering what the cut of a jacket would be, style of collar and neckwear for a kilt (especially if most of it is already sitting in my patterns waiting to be made). I hope you can find some interesting information! I just love the look of the clothing and the accessories and to find some information for the kilt would be wonderful even if it is limited!

[JimB]

Might you have a space on your dance card for me dear lady?

[Rex_Tremende]

Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print in 1887. Queen Victoria last appeared on earth in 1901.

This dress...

...albeit a French one, appeared somewhere around 1882. Sort of looks like a backwards kilt pleated to one giant sett. Cynthia (and other costume enthusiasts), you should make a trip sometime to the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. They have the most remarkable collection of artifacts there.

Regards,
Roger.

[Freelancer]

Beautiful work Cynthia! You should really try one in a tartan fabric. Why not even try your hand at kilt making?