From the Treasure Trove: Charlotte’s honeymoon dress. This dress was worn by Charlotte when she set out on her honeymoon in 1854. The dress is made from silk and is actually a separate skirt and top. Originally it was patterned with stripes of lavender and silver, which have gradually faded to a uniform silvery brown colour.facebook/Bronte-Parsonage-Museum
The last part (Stripes and so on....) is new to me.
Yes the dress has changed so much from its description in 1854,some think there are two dresses. One of with stripes of lavender and silver, and this brown one...but its the same one
BeantwoordenVerwijderenStripes of lavender and silver, seems very lively for a dress of Charlotte's , an indication of something special was afoot .
She was torn between a natural love of beautiful clothes( this is evident in the early writings ) and feeling ill as ease when it comes to herself and finery. Not only because she was not her own physical ideal, but because of Evangelical religious training and simply being poor most of her life.
This woman was the young girl who had to present herself to new school fellows old, old fashion dresses...very likely a cut down dress of Aunt's was in her trunk . She was keenly aware of the incongruity between herself and the dress of wealthy girls like Mary and Ellen....and of her inner world's notions of dress as well.
But a wedding provides an opportunity for indulgence and a reprieve from such concerns even for a clergyman's daughter
Charlotte was amazed she bought white material for her wedding dress and talked about not being made a fool of .....but don't let us be fooled. She loved all the trimmings, her wedding out fit and this dress are of striking loveliness
Interestingly every element of design in this dress would make the figure wearing it more substantial looking. The balloon sleeves, the front piece on the bodice, the horizontal strips ....CB often lamented her thinness.
It's also interesting it is of two separate pieces... I believe Charlotte designed the dress herself . Two pieces would make it easier to put on and take off I'd think. A consideration in a honeymoon going away dress when you are by yourself with a new husband! However events unfolded, such ease would be appreciated lol .