Williamsburg Rose 18th Century Ladies' Fashions

featuring a variety of Formal and Informal styles for the modern 18th Century Woman's re-enacting activities.

This collection of Ladies' wear represents many attractive styles worn during the 18th Century in England, France, and Colonial America. Unless otherwise noted, all styles are back-laced. Gowns are adapted slightly for the modern figure, and are made to be worn with modern underpinnings.
Whether you are looking for something with a difference for daytime wear, a custom ensemble for a Special Occasion, or trying to find the perfect gown for making an entrance at the Regimental ball, you're sure to find something to please your personal fashion style in our selection below!

*Lady's Day Dress * Lady's Ballgown *Sack-back Gown * Lady's Maternity Dress * Lady's Pet-en-lair Jacket *Laced-front Ensemble *
* Custom Bridal Wear * Bridal Page * Festival Dress * "Basic"Dress *

HOME - Colonial fashions - Lady's Colonial Accessories Page - Victorian fashions - Doll Fashions - ORDER FORM


Colonial Fashions for Girls!
Ladies Mitts in Silk and Linen
18" Doll Wardrobe Collections!
18th Century 1-Piece Day Dress

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This is the simplified version of a period design for informal everyday attire in a one-piece dress.
The bodice has a square neckline, edged with lace with a "breast knot" or bow in the center front.
Elbow length sleeves are finished with a ruffle of lace. The full skirt is gathered into a natural waistline, dipping to a graceful point in front. The gown has a back-laced placket closing.

Perfect for a non-fussy, period look for Living history or museum guides
Price: $350.00

Day Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons, or
Floral 18th century type cotton prints
Note: Fabric in photo no longer available
When ordering, please give 3 color choices

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This formal ensemble is made up of the petticoat (underskirt) and gown, the common components of the 18th century lady's wardrobe. Like the day dress, the ball gown also features a low square neckline and natural waist. The center front of the bodice is trimmed as a false stomacher with a layer of lace emphasizing the pointed center front. Sleeves are elbow length with rich, frothy flounces of lace at the elbows. Bands of ruched lace, called "robings" run up the front edges of the gown and around the neckline.
The petticoat is a full underskirt with a wide flounce of lace along the front lower edge.
The gown has a back-laced placket closing.

Shown, Pink Satin

Price: From $550.00

Ball Gown Fabrics:
Antique Satin, Smooth Satin, Moire.
Please call for availability or to discuss other fabric options.

 
Lady's Ball Gown

Laced-front Gown
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The Gown has a pointed front and back waistline and full skirt. The Dress Bodice has a low, round neckline edged with self-fabric ruching.
Sleeves are elbow-length and have a small self-fabric ruffle at the wrist edge. Gown fastens with a laced placket in the center front. The gown skirt opens in front and is trimmed with self-fabric ruching along the front edges.
Matching Petticoat has a 135" sweep skirt and ruffle of self-fabric trim along the hemline.
Ensemble is offered in solid-color cotton/poly only
Please state 1st, 2nd & 3rd color choices

Price: $450.00

Customized Ball Gown

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Custom design and decorations, including fabric such as silks, brocades, etc.and personalized designs and trimmings including metallic trims and bridal-quality laces; contact for consultation, design and special fabric options

Shown: Peach Moire Ballgown with customized trimming
Prices: From $650.00

Ball Gown Fabrics:
Antique Satin, Smooth Satin, Moire.
Please call for availability
or to discuss other fabric options.

Robe a la Francaise or Sack-back Gown

 

This is the classic version of the lovely 18th century "Sack-back" gown,the Robe a la Francaise, c.1770

Dress has a fitted front, with adjustable laces over a separate stomacher, and a full pleated back. Robings of gathered lace edge the bodice, stomacher, and skirt sides. Sleeves are trimmed with one flounce of fabric and one of gathered lace. The seperate petticoat has ruffles of fabric and lace (decoration on lower front only). Gown skirt features inside loops and ties to create the fashionable, gathered-up, "polonaise" fashion look.

Two piece ensemble : Gown, skirt, and stomacher may be done in contrasting colors, please state color preferences.
(Fabrics may not be mixed- ensemble is done in a single fabric)
Price: from $850.00
Fabrics: Satin

Please call for availability or to discuss fabric options, such as silk or brocades.



18th Century
Bridal and Wedding Attire

At Williamsburg Rose, you will find the most elegant styles for gowns and accessories for 18th century Bridal attire for a truly unique Historic Wedding.
Please call for design consultations or to discuss fabric options.


Click here to
See More Custom Bridal/Formal Attire

Shown at left:
Custom designed
Bridal Ensemble,
circa 1780's


Robe a l'Anglaise Gown in ivory silk dupioni, with antique lace; seperate petticoat with double hem ruffles; center view shows train polonaised with interior ties

Lady's Maternity Dress

For all your lifestyle needs! An attractive 18th century style "Robe Volante" adapted for modern-day use for the perfect-and stylish - Maternity gown.
This style has extra roomy front pleats to accomodate the changing figure. The Gown fastens with a lace-across front stomacher and has sack-back pleats for additional comfort.

Lady's Jacket & Petticoat

Ladies in the 18th century had a number of attractive styles in bodices and jackets to vary the look of their wardrobes One of the most popular of these was the "Pet-en-l'air", a hip or knee-length jacket with the floating back pleats of the Robe a la Francaise.

Lady's Maternity Dress

"During"- there's plenty of room,
and
"After"- just sew the pleats down for a more form-fitting, regular style!

This design is available in both full-length, one piece dress with a center front seam (no seperate petticoat needed) or as a knee-length "Pet-en-l'air" jacket style with lace-across front stomacher and sack-back pleats, priced as the Knee-length Jacket, right

Full-length Dress
(no petticoat) :
Price: $450.00

Pet-en-l'air, or
Knee-length jacket

shown with Lady's Plain Petticoat
Price: $250.00

Available as Regular or Maternity version - be sure to specify when ordering!
For solid color or floral fabric. Please call for fabric options


Lady's Plain Petticoat

Please specify round-cut or pannier-cut

Price: from $75.00
for round-cut, plain cotton

Please call for other fabric, trimming and pricing options

"Basic" and "Festival" Dresses . . . . . For those who require the look of a Colonial-styled dress.
This is the perfect solution for women who are not re-enactors on a regular basis, but want to look the part for a wedding, historic festival, heritage day, or special event. A perfect low-key historical look for historic site docents and living history guides.
Both dresses in this section are very simple in make and fit. They are one-piece dresses, made to be worn with modern undergarments, with some ease of fit. These styles are not meant for use with side-hoops - - the skirts are even length all round. Dresses have a laced-back fastening with a center modesty placket, and there is some size adjustment possible. . . . .
Please note- this dress style is NOT custom-fitted but is made in regular dress sizes; please be sure to send accurate bust and waist measurements!
Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons only.
Basic dress

Festival Dress

Basic dress . . . . . A "no-frills" version for those who want a truly plain, basic dress, wish to add lace and trims themselves, or prefer to accessorize with a choice of seperate clothing pieces (i.e. kerchief, apron, etc.).
The bodice has a square neckline, and a plain round waistline. Sleeves are plain and end just above the elbows.The full skirt is gathered into a natural waistline. The gown has a back-laced placket closing. Skirt is approx 42" long all round with a basted hem, which can be worn 'as is' or shortened by the wearer. (Not made to be worn with panniers.)

Please note- dress is NOT custom-fitted (as are our other gowns) ,but is made in regular dress sizes; please be sure to send accurate bust and waist measurements!
Price: $150.00

Basic Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons only

Festival Dress. . . . . A perfect style for historic house guides,or for those who want to the "Colonial look" for a special event at an historic site.
The bodice has a square neckline,and is edged with lace. Elbow length sleeves are finished with a ruffle of fabric and lace. The full skirt is gathered into a natural waistline, with a pointed front, and has a contrast front panel. The gown has a back-laced placket closing.Skirt is approx 42" long all round with a basted hem, which can be worn 'as is' or shortened by the wearer. (Not made to be worn with panniers.)

Please note- dress is NOT custom-fitted (as are our other gowns) ,but is made in regular dress sizes; please be sure to send accurate bust and waist measurements!
Price: $200.00

Festival Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons

Ordering Information: Fabrics and Styles -

Outfits are available in the fabrics as stated in individual descriptions:When ordering, please give 1st, 2nd and 3rd color choices, or send color sample - they will be matched as closely as possible.
With Gown/Petticoat outfits,two colors (in the same fabric) may be requested. (Sorry, no mixing of fabrics - outfits are done in a single fabric type only.)
Side-hoops were commonly worn with all these styles; please remember to state if your gown should be cut to be worn with or without side-hoops.(except for Basic and Festival dresses which are not available for side hoops)

Please Note: Outfits require a minimum 8-16 week time frame (from acceptance of the order and subject to seasonal work load), and depending on the complexity of the design, since each outfit is custom made to individual specifications and designs.

For further information on custom order items contact: email Williamsburg RoseŠ