Comments on: Princess Charlotte’s Blue Russian Gown

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:04:41 +0000

WHEN I BECOME SKINNY I WILL WEARS THE RUSSIAN PRINCESS S
COSTUMES FOR ME TO GO INTO THE WINTER PALACE FOR MY 2099 S
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES BALLS AND CONTESTS!

By: vintagefrillsCatherine

vintagefrillsCatherine — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:27:04 +0000

I love the dress and the George Dawe painting so much! Would love the skills to make a replica dress.
I went to the exhibition a few weeks ago I have written a brief blog post on it here http://vintagefrills.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/charlotte-the-forgotten-princess-at-the-royal-pavillion/

By: Bonny Wise

Bonny Wise — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:50:05 +0000

what about that “blouse”? They keep showing stuff like that in Bright Star, etc and I’ve never seen a period fashion illustration with one of those. Can someone enlighten me?

By: bluffkinghal

bluffkinghal — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:10:21 +0000

It’s unfortunate the colour faded away, but they did not know much about preservation in those days.

By: Kecia Adams

Kecia Adams — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:35:18 +0000

Really lovely. I am so fascinated by these tidbits of the era, which we’re allowed a peek of every now and then. I remember seeing Josephine Bonaparte’s coronation gown in the Musee du Costume in Paris many years ago. I went back later just to sit and imagine how she must have towered over the little Napoleon… I also like how much Charlotte resembled her father in her features. Not beautiful but handsome, as they say.

By: Vic

Vic — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:39:24 +0000

Redswv: Details about the conservation of the wedding dress are mentioned in Victoriana Magazine, 2011. The originality of parts of the dress was not discussed. http://www.victorianamagazine.com/royalty/Royal_Wedding_Dress.html

By: Betsy

Betsy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:06:05 +0000

thanks Vic..I was allowed to take photos at the exhibit, but so much glare through the glass. Your link with your photos really show the details!

By: redswv

redswv — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:38:42 +0000

Another theory could be artistic license. Princess Charlotte could have worn a plain “blouse” underneath the Russian dress for the in person portrait sittings, but George Daw could have painted in a more elaborate “blouse” for the finished portrait.

By: redswv

redswv — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:34:33 +0000

Regarding the wedding dress, Kay Staniland explains in the exhibit catalog that they now think the bodice on the dress that survives today is the only part of the actual wedding dress of Princess Charlotte. The dress as it exists now does not resemble contemporary descriptions of Princess Charlotte’s wedding dress.

This blog explains a little more about the wedding dress: http://austenonly.com/2011/04/24/a-rather-different-royal-wedding-that-of-princess-charlotte-and-prince-leopold/

By: redswv

redswv — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:26:06 +0000

Kay Staniland explains this in the “In Royal Fashion” exhibit catalog. There is speculation that for the George Daw painting from 1817, they used a large piece of lace as a “blouse” rather than a formed garment. If you look at the painting, you can see at the sleeves that they are wide open and being held together by pearl clips or pins. No one knows what happened to the original garment.

By: Vic

Vic — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:48:59 +0000

Not a portrait, but I do know of two illustrations. http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/in-honor-of-the-royal-wedding-princess-charlottes-wedding-dress-1816/

I did not see the wedding dress, but I was lucky enough to see the bell flower gown at the Museum of London before it was stored again.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:42:13 +0000

I’m wondering why they are showing the actual dress with a different type of blouse or sleeved top than in the paintings.