Black does not equal mourning. The Victorians realized that a “little black dress” was the essential piece of a complete fashion wardrobe as well as the modern lady. It’s great for everything from an evening affair to church, and what’s more its slimming! (Ha haa- Wicked thinks that is funny because by the time you put on a corset and a bustle your waist HAS to look smaller than it originally did.)
Really, it does seem incredible to have so much stuff labeled “mourning” when you browse through Ebay. One of these days some seller is going to realize mauve and grey are “half-mourning” colors and we are going to have a whole new flood of “mourning wear.”
So what is the difference between black and truly deep mourning? Real mourning is plain, and drab- for example http://antiquedress.com/item4858.htm is an Edwardian gown covered in crepe, no jet, no beads, no froths of lace. In other words this is a dress that conveys sadness, despite its stylish cut.
This on the the other hand http://antiquedress.com/item1660.htm is a “little black dress” of the same era.
This is a mourning hat http://antiquedress.com/item6507.htm notice how the only “decoration” on it is not faceted or twinkly. This is also mourning but is “second mourning” http://antiquedress.com/item6386.htm and would be worn after the first heavy mourning period. Notice the crepe (the crinkly silk on it).
This bonnet is probably NOT mourning http://www.bobbydene.com/images/ht2062.jpg but simply a “little black hat”
I just completed the creation of an 1880's mourning bonnet. Mourning is something Wicked seems to have gotten a lot of practice in lately, you might say there is a piece of my heart in this particular hat, but then again Wicked's family has always adored a good hat!
Really, it does seem incredible to have so much stuff labeled “mourning” when you browse through Ebay. One of these days some seller is going to realize mauve and grey are “half-mourning” colors and we are going to have a whole new flood of “mourning wear.”
So what is the difference between black and truly deep mourning? Real mourning is plain, and drab- for example http://antiquedress.com/item4858.htm is an Edwardian gown covered in crepe, no jet, no beads, no froths of lace. In other words this is a dress that conveys sadness, despite its stylish cut.
This on the the other hand http://antiquedress.com/item1660.htm is a “little black dress” of the same era.
This is a mourning hat http://antiquedress.com/item6507.htm notice how the only “decoration” on it is not faceted or twinkly. This is also mourning but is “second mourning” http://antiquedress.com/item6386.htm and would be worn after the first heavy mourning period. Notice the crepe (the crinkly silk on it).
This bonnet is probably NOT mourning http://www.bobbydene.com/images/ht2062.jpg but simply a “little black hat”
I just completed the creation of an 1880's mourning bonnet. Mourning is something Wicked seems to have gotten a lot of practice in lately, you might say there is a piece of my heart in this particular hat, but then again Wicked's family has always adored a good hat!
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