Post by Admin on Aug 28, 2014 13:42:14 GMT -5
Fashion in Archades is dependent largely both on a person's standing, rank and of course, their disposable income. Some variations of fashion are a result of the regions in which the people live, though the heart and height of fashion can be found in Bordelaix at the Royal Court. The Princess Antoinette is known as the foremost trendsetter of Archades, ever stylish and frequently introducing new colors, fabrics, accessories and methods of dress.
For those at Court, maintaining a semblance of fashion is crucial. Life at Court is not inexpensive, as one must dress to impress. Ladies are often confined in a corset to display narrow waists, dressed in full-skirted gowns with medium to low necklines. Gowns are most often made of silks, velvet, wool plush, or finely woven linens, trimmed in ribbons, lace, or embroidery. The newest fashion, set by Princess Antoinette, is to have a contrast of color and/or pattern between the overdress and the underskirt, the bodice lavishly trimmed in lace and ribbon.
Hats and headpieces are frequently worn, especially among the higher-born ladies as proof of affluence, rank, or in the case of hats, to keep the sun from their fair skin.
On formal gowns or ball-gowns, the more wealthy members of the court have jewels affixed to the fabric. It can take hours to dress, including arranging the hair, donning cosmetics, and of course, jewels. Even in the summer, a lady of the Court is fully dressed, though as a concession to the heat, her clothing is made of less, or finer layers, and instead of petticoats, a farthingale is used to bell her skirts.
For less formal days, bodices and skirts with full-sleeved blouses or unadorned gowns are worn, though no lady would be seen at court in such attire. These dresses are meant for more practical purposes, or for riding.
The gentlemen are not so constrained in their attire, wearing tunics and breeches made from linen or wool as less formal clothing, or working wear, along with well-polished boots, sandals or low cut shoes. For the formal occasions, the tunic is traded for a doublet made of fine linen, velvet, wool plush or rarely, silk, along with breeches to match and a shirt made of fine linen or again, silk. Though most men in Archades keep their hair trimmed short, those who keep it longer will tie it back when appearing at Court or at official functions.
For those who are less prosperous or low-born, the fabrics are typically homespun linen or cottons in the warmer months, along with sturdy boots, or low-heeled leather shoes. In the winter, wool replaces the linen for the sake of warmth and for good wear. Women wear canvas bodices with shoulder straps over undyed chemises, men wear shirts or tunics over breeches.
Children:
The Noble Born Ladies:
For those at Court, maintaining a semblance of fashion is crucial. Life at Court is not inexpensive, as one must dress to impress. Ladies are often confined in a corset to display narrow waists, dressed in full-skirted gowns with medium to low necklines. Gowns are most often made of silks, velvet, wool plush, or finely woven linens, trimmed in ribbons, lace, or embroidery. The newest fashion, set by Princess Antoinette, is to have a contrast of color and/or pattern between the overdress and the underskirt, the bodice lavishly trimmed in lace and ribbon.
Hats and headpieces are frequently worn, especially among the higher-born ladies as proof of affluence, rank, or in the case of hats, to keep the sun from their fair skin.
On formal gowns or ball-gowns, the more wealthy members of the court have jewels affixed to the fabric. It can take hours to dress, including arranging the hair, donning cosmetics, and of course, jewels. Even in the summer, a lady of the Court is fully dressed, though as a concession to the heat, her clothing is made of less, or finer layers, and instead of petticoats, a farthingale is used to bell her skirts.
For less formal days, bodices and skirts with full-sleeved blouses or unadorned gowns are worn, though no lady would be seen at court in such attire. These dresses are meant for more practical purposes, or for riding.
The Noble Born Gentlemen:
The gentlemen are not so constrained in their attire, wearing tunics and breeches made from linen or wool as less formal clothing, or working wear, along with well-polished boots, sandals or low cut shoes. For the formal occasions, the tunic is traded for a doublet made of fine linen, velvet, wool plush or rarely, silk, along with breeches to match and a shirt made of fine linen or again, silk. Though most men in Archades keep their hair trimmed short, those who keep it longer will tie it back when appearing at Court or at official functions.
The Common Born People:
For those who are less prosperous or low-born, the fabrics are typically homespun linen or cottons in the warmer months, along with sturdy boots, or low-heeled leather shoes. In the winter, wool replaces the linen for the sake of warmth and for good wear. Women wear canvas bodices with shoulder straps over undyed chemises, men wear shirts or tunics over breeches.
Children:
Children of the noble-born or wealthy are dressed in finer fabrics, but simpler styles. Little girls wear high-waisted dresses that fall to their ankles and soft-soled shoes, while little boys wear tunics and breeches with the same soft-soled shoes, or specially crafted boots.
Children of the common-born will typically wear a jumper-like dress with chemise, or for the boys, a shirt with protective vest and breeches. It is not uncommon to see common-born children going barefoot or wearing rude sandals until winter, then don thick socks and wooden-soled leather shoes.