Regency (1811-1820)

Using the La Mode Bagatelle pattern, I've created a ballgown and a day dress with its matching spencer. Of course, since a lady could not appear outside with her hair uncovered, I subsequently taught myself how to trim a bonnet. One of the best costuming resources I've found on the Web is Jessamyn's Regency Costume Companion (also a fine place for research).

Ballgown with crossover bodice in Wedgwood blue jacquard cotton, Brussels lace trim.	Day dress in cream India cotton. Spencer in grey silk noile with royal-blue grosgrain ribbon trim. Bonnet from Amazon Dry Goods. Harp from Triplett.

Late Victorian/Edwardian (1880-1914)

Truly Victorian's 1892 French Fan Skirt and Evening Bodice in rose-pink silk dupioni. Silver and pink beaded trim from Britex, San Francisco. Evening bag is Vogue pattern #7252 with fabric roses, Vogue #7009. Princess Alexandra pearl and marcasite choker from Impostors, San Jose, and pearl and diamond hairpins from In the Olde Manner, Los Gatos, CA. Opera gloves from Nordstrom. Posture courtesy of the "Julia" corset from Period Corsets. Do pop over to the Diary of a Ballgown to see how this dress went together.

Truly Victorian's French Fan Skirt in rose-pink cotton broadcloth. Folkwear's Armistice Blouse in cotton batiste. Pinwheel hat in pink straw with fruit, flowers, and veiling from In the Olde Manner, Los Gatos, California.

Italian Renaissance

Faux Italian Renaissance gown (Simplicity #8735), which debuted at the 2002 RT Booklovers Convention in Reno, NV. The author is with dark fantasy writer Mary Anne Mitchell. Blue velvet with gold beaded trim, hand embroidery, and figured cotton sleeves and underskirt. Coronet from the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, California.