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Here at 18thCenturyGowns.com I create Ready-Made, One-of-a-Kind Authentic Historic Reproduction Clothing Suitable for Reenactment, Living History Museums, Film, Television & Weddings.

You will find NO zippers, elastic or other notions found in costumes. Most of the garments, with some exceptions, are Hand-Sewn Finished for a truly Period Correct Appearance.

All of the garments I offer are meticulously Hand Crafted with careful attention to detail. I Specialize in Authentic 18th Century Design & Construction.

Please Note: I am not currently accepting Custom Clothing orders.

Instead, I have a variety of quality Ready-Made Items!

Welcome To 18thCenturyGowns.com

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(Unless otherwise stated)

A little About clothing of the 18th century:

At the beginning of the 18th century, ladies gowns were worn over a Round style hoop called a Pannier, or Hoop Petticoat. Later these panniers or Hoops as they were also called, evolved into the wide shape that most are familiar with. The predominant gown style was the loose sack back garment known as the Robe a la Francaise, or French gown. The English gown, Robe a la Anglaise, was a fitted back gown, sometimes also called a closed robe or round gown because of the closed nature of the gown which did not require an exposed petticoat.

Women's Colonial 18th century gowns later evolved to be much more fitted to the body, such as the robe “polonaise” which had laces in the gown skirt that could be tied up to form a sort of bustle.

Ladies of the 18th century would wear elaborate stays (later in history referred to as a corset) made from layers of heavy canvas, linen and sometimes silk...boned with Whalebone know as baleen. These 18th century Stays were essential to get the appropriate shape needed to wear the clothing of the time. Those who could not afford stays would buy used pairs from Pawnbrokers or make their own from inexpensive materials or often leather...these leather stays were often used in England by the field workers or wives of Journeymen or apprentices who had very little expendable income. These leather stays were often also made & given away by Charities to poor women who would otherwise be “loose” because of the lack of proper support.

Stays were often back lacing, front lacing or sometimes both. Side lacing stays were made also in order to accommodate pregnancy or a rapid change in size.

The basic undergarment for women was the Shift or Chemise which was a long white or natural colored garment worn under the stays. This shift was adjustable at the neck & sleeves and sometimes had ruffles known as flounces or Engegantes. These were either of the same fabric, or expensive lace from Belgium or England.

Ladies of the 18th century almost never went without their head covered, day caps and evening caps were made from fine linen or cotton lawn, trimmed in lace and ribbons. Work caps were made from linen and fustian for durability. The flat straw hat was extremely popular for the 18th century...often covered in silk & ribbons to match the gown of the wearer. Also, the bonnet was popular, usually made from black silk although many other colors were also used such as blue, red and light colors like white and even Pink!

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