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Wardobe Meme

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Well this has certainly been a looong time in the offing. Nijuuni's fantastic wardrobe meme for my character Nicolette Alinaud. She's not quite the oldest character that's been rambling around my head, but she's certainly the one that I think and re-conceptualize the most, and she's changed a lot since I was a wee sophomore in high school and first dreamt her up. She lives in the kingdom of Aigleron, which is totally made up from my head, but which has some resemblances to 18th century France. Certainly, the clothes I picture my characters in resemble 1780s French fashions, with a few alterations (powder is already passe, and shoes have lower heels, among other things.)

Actually, I probably spend a stupid amount of my (very limited) free time imagining what clothes my Aiglais characters wear. To prove this, here's a rundown of Nicolette's wardrobe:

Everyday: Nicolette's a member of the nobility, so she doesn't ever really dumb her wardrobe down too much, although when she's not socializing, but rather reading and writing correspondence or managing her estates, she would wear something like this. The fichu adds modesty, and her hair is arranged in curls, but not piled too high or adorned with anything. Hair generally looks fancy amongst the nobility because pomade is used to style it and they don't wash it very frequently...

Spring: White muslin dresses were introduced by a neighboring Princess recently, and are all the rage, especially when the weather starts warming up. To complete the picturesque look, a wide silk sash and matching ribbon in the hair are de rigeur.

Summer: In the summer the royal palace becomes sweltering, and most of the nobles escape to their country estates or those of their friends. The richest and most powerful Aiglais nobles have villas overlooking the ocean in the south of Aigleron. Nicolette would wear this sort of outfit, made of light muslin, at the beach, where the sheer sleeves protect against the wind but allow her to stay cool when the sun comes out.

Autumn: Autumn is the big social season at the palace. Nicolette would wear an outfit like this for tea in the garden before the cold sets in, or for walking in the parque.

Winter: Redingotes, based on men's riding coats, are all the rage, and this red wool version has a zone-front bodice that is newly fashionable.

Pastwear: Little Nicolette! She would have worn basically a small version of adult wear at the time. This look is dated because of the shape of the shoes and the sheer ruffles on the ends of the sleeves, which were in style when Nicolette was a child, but now would be old-fashioned.

Futurewear: Slowly, dresses are becoming slimmer in the skirt and waistlines are rising. In a few years, Nicolette will wear something like this, an open robe over and underdress, and although you can't see them hear, would also have shoes without heels at all.

Opera: In Aigleron, the opera is the height of fashion, and nobles sit in private boxes. For unmarried girls, white is the only color permissible to wear, and a fancy coiffure with lots of feathers is a must, while men would also stick to a more subdued palate. No bright red coats or obnoxious striped prints at the opera!

Riding Habit: For riding, skirts are cut long with a train to drape over the legs on a sidesaddle. Noble women like Nicolette would go to a men's tailor to have their riding habits made, as the cut mimics that of men's coats, only with wider skirts on the habit jacket to fit over their skirts.

Formal: Simplicity in formalwear is newly fashionable at court, and decoration is thus restrained on ball gowns. Panniers and powder have been newly discarded after the death of fussy Queen Heloise, and now hair is worn in its natural color, and skirts are filled out in a round shape with layers of soft petticoats.

Mourning: When Nicolette has to wear mourning, the occasion is unexpected, so she pulls an old dress of her mother's out to wear. It is very dated, with a sacque back and a heavy brocade print, as well as panniers and elaborate lace ruffles at the ends of the sleeves. Mesh mittens complete the look, which is supposed to be subdued and respectful and formal rather than stylish.

Court Dress: Court clothes are wear the big bucks are shelled out (metaphorically speaking of course.) Here, tradition reigns, and though powdered hair is no longer required, panniers are still worn under voluminous skirts with long trains that require special training to walk in.


Original meme by :iconnijuuni:
Blank meme here: fav.me/d33rajz

Character and art by me.


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Does this dress code for the opera exist in real life?