Remember how I said 95% sure on that paletot design?

[mandie_rw]

That leaves a whole 5% in which I could change my mind! Which I think I have. Whoops. And after you all left such nice comments about that trim design! But I've found something I like even better...I was trying to find an example of a plaid paletot for Robin (not a mantle or cape or giant blanket, but a fitted garment, which none of us can seem to find - so if any of you have seen one do share!) in the depths of the internet last night, and stumbled across this photograph.

Annnnd I think it needs to be mine. Even more than the star one. It's earlier than my other inspirations, but I think I'll just make the sleeves a little more manageable in size (and to update it a couple of years) and call it a day.

An upshot of the design change is that the only thing I'll now have to buy for the paletot is buttons. Maybe. (And hooks & eyes for the real fastenings.) Though now I want a veil for my bonnet... Anyway, fabric change as well - now it'll be my tan wool, with the trim strips out of velveteen, I think. Black or dark brown, I have both and I haven't decided which.

Now, if I can just stop looking up 1860s images...maybe I'll stop changing designs like a crazy person! (Though this simplifying of the paletot trim probably means I will have time for a day dress...heh heh heh)

Comments

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

http://extantgowns.blogspot.com/2013/05/1860s-bodice-in-green-and-white-plaid.html

Not a jacket but a plaid skirted bodice.

http://www.blockaderunner.com/images/goodeysmay62fig5.gif

A plaid coat from 1862

I looked through both period (1861-1865) fashion books of the time and all of them say the same thing - a casaque or paletot should be velvet or taffeta in gray or black with, possibly, plaid trim. Nothing of a plaid paletot.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's interesting - I mean, they had plaid dresses out the wazoo, I wonder why no paletots?

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

Possibly for the ability to mix and match? Contrasting plaids always look funky but a basic gray or black over your plaid dress? Fabulous! You'd want to wear your jacket with more than one outfit.

[stinkymonkey41.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhh I like this one.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Me too! :D I think maybe I'll actually keep this one and not get distracted again, haha!

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

http://service.kunstversteigerer.de/de/i/5912166/p/14/?PHPSESSID=ees0a91fahtd5c73bh4i4ah9d4

in case that doesn't work:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johann_Bauer_Kotzenverk%C3%A4ufer_img02.jpg

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Excellent; thank you!!