Omg, I love that you threw in the phrase 'chub-rub' with all the formal tutorial language of the rest of the video. 😃 It's an issue, for sure, just hilarious to hear it described thus in this context.
I love this style of video, it really helps to explain how to keep the proportion correct for the era, which can be a bit daunting for plus-sizes. It's also helpful for historybounding, as proportion is so important when hinting at other periods
The longline corset is pretty essential in my experience for anyone with a larger bust regardless of size. And as for long gloves I think the only good solution is making your own. I have very slender hands with a long arm muscles so other than the random antique find nothing fits me correctly either. That's one of my goals for this year to learn to make gloves so that I can pattern myself perfect long evening gloves.
I am not plus sized myself, but am a firm believer that anyone of any shape or size can look stunning in whichever style era they chose to dress in. Unfortunately, up til now, there have been relatively few resources available to help the more voluptuous lady achieve their perfect look with confidence, so THANK YOU for your videos. You look lovely in all your dresses but to me you look most adorable in te white wrap dress. ❤
That pouf sleeve with the scalloped cap is so adorable! Suddenly remembering the scene in Napoleon Dynamite when Napoleon compliment's Deb's prom dress (that she made herself). "I like your sleeves. They're real big."
I'm so glad you make this plus-size videos. My friend never wanted to cosplay with me even if she love to sew. She's interested in trying historical with me because she feels she can pull it off (maybe). I'm sure she can! We'll have even more to share together now, thanks ❤️
I've seen it mentioned that pre-20th century, it was more about the fashionable silhouette, not fashionable size. With the proper undergarments, a wide variety of body types can achieve an era's silhouette. I hope your friend joins you!
OH my God... I love sewing clothes, however, I refrained from it because I've gained a lot of weight. It made me very insecure. However, your video shows that even with plus size you can still look absolutely stunning! Such an inspiration, makes me want to dive into sewing right away again!
The two most important things required to look lovely in any styles are 1) correct underpinnings and 2) confidence. Unfortunately you can't buy the second one from Red Threaded 😏 Make the thing, wear the thing, hold your head high and walk tall. You WILL look lovely. 😚
I've always liked regency as i carry all my weight in my abdomen & belly (and I have thin arms and legs- I look pregnant) and the high waisteline- right under the bust- looks really flattering on me and feels the most comfortable
I don't have "thin" arms and legs (though, they're not large), but do have a belly and find this era Quite difficult ...because of the waistline, I look pregnant!
That burgundy gown is GORGEOUS! Also, that was a great tip to structure the bottom of the petticoat to avoid having it wrap around the legs. I've always stayed away from Regency gowns because of my wide shoulders and short neck. But there were some great subtleties brought up here for styling. Thank you!
You can also put your leg measurements into your search (there are a few drop-down menus on the left side of the screen) on Sock Dreams, so you don't have to check the measurements for every pair you like.
Love this! I love the Regency era look but wasn’t sure how to pull it off as a larger woman. My 2022 sewing goal is a regency outfit and this is inspiring.
Also, note on shoes: The styles actually also changed throughout the period. The kitten heel with a pointy toe is a 1790s look. By the 1800, it was flats with pointed toes, and by the time your beloved 1820s rolled in, it was flats with rounded toes or even "square" much like mid-century shoes. So yeah, certain styles of ballet flats are really pretty good for later Regency. :-)
If I wanted over-the-elbow gloves, I would try and experiment with the kinda socks that are available for diabetics, edema and over a cast. I have found a specific brand that really helps me with my legs (before, my socks would always roll down to my ankle, and often the sock would be too tight...)... back to the topic: I would experiment with that sock as underlayer (or only as a 'rubber band' at the opening of the glove) using the light and great stretch of the sock to hold the overlayer in place.
As much as I love all these styles, if I have anything around my neck I feel like I'm being choked. I would absolutely make use of the fiscu... I think that's how its spelled... the sheer wrap you'd truck around your neckline to protect against the sun. And I hate wearing things on my head.
Thank you for your warmth, generosity, and encouragement! And the community you're curating here at your channel is just like you. I look forward to more!
I’m really enjoying your content a lot! I’m not plus size myself, however my bust is. So I usually struggle a lot with finding something flattering, especially when it comes to patterns in standardized sizes. This video has been really helpful, so thank you!
I just love this. I used to sing in an ensemble that did all kinds of music for historical reenactment events, and as a plus-size woman who doesn't sew and is not a fashion historian, finding costumes was a constant source of stress and misery. Even though I don't perform in historical costume anymore, I'm so grateful that you're sharing your knowledge with others, so they can have the chance to actually enjoy finding costumes that look good on them!
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Regency gowns are flattering on all bodies!! ;-) Also a white empire gown is SO versatile if you have the necessary accessories. Same gown to wear to a picnic as a ball (post COVID, obviously).
I am loving this series! I've always been a plus-size, being an weightlifter just added to it, and I've always wanted to make my own clothes/costumes. Your channel has been a major boost for me to do all the things! And we're similar is size/height, so I oogle your creations and imagine making them for myself!
I have been riding the struggle bus because I cannot find stocking to fit. I've tried making them and failed horribly. Thank you so much for the tip of sock dreams. I will be ordering a pair or 3 today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Being short and thick I have really enjoyed your series. You are amazing!
I'm not plus size and I still think I can't pull off Regency. You do show very clearly, that it's mostly a case of undergarments and accessoires to look good in it :)
This is perfect! I'm planning to make a regency outfit inspired by a travelogue I came across while researching my bachelor thesis but was really scared it would look crappy on me! I'm having an issue with high waistlines since I wore a white summer dress with an empire waist for the first time in school and overheard some of my classmates talking about how I looked like an ugly walrus in that dress. They are my besties now and I'm not angry about their honesty anymore but I was not brave enough to wear a high waistline since! Your tips are excellent, I especially like the one about waistband and to structure the hem of petticoats! And that blue spencer is stunning!!!
I love how your tips are more about feeling comfortable and liking how you look than the sort of prescriptive "this is what looks good on fat people" advice some fashion tips turn into. I definitely feel like it's more important for me to feel comfortable and feel like I look nice than to follow "rules". I really stayed away from Empire waisted clothes for a long time because I thought the style always made me look pregnant. I didn't realize how much of that was down to WHERE and HOW the waist was gathered (and what fabric you use!) and I love the way well-done Regency looks on fatter people!
Wow you look particularly lovely and striking in this ensemble!!! I need to make something like these dark red short stays as a modern day vest corset situation 🤔
I remember seeing a peek of that blue shot silk dress in another video. So glad we got to see more of it here, it's so pretty! The glove thing is tough because most of the surviving vintage gloves are very small sizes and the opera-length ones tend to be either nylon or tighter in the upper arms than they would have been in the regency era. 😞 Let's make glove-sewing a thing!
I spent 15 years working at the original Renaissance Faire near Los Angeles (it was a long time ago!), and I loved how the costumes made me look. I got used to the "flattering" shape the clothes gave me, and sewed many pieces for myself, or bought them (I always bought the bodice). But I've loved Regency clothes all this time, and was sad that I couldn't wear them well because I'm plus size. Your video has given me a lot of courage about it, now I want to have an entire set of Regency clothes to wear, including that dreamy Spencer. Thanks, this was really helpful to someone like me.
I really like your videos. Being taller and plus size and K cup it is really hard to find patterns that fit. So any helpful tips are greatly appreciated.
I second this request! it is hard to find costuming patterns in large cup sizes. Victorian costuming is easier as there are period drafting guides that use your own measurements, but no such resources for earlier periods. pattern recommendations or FBA tips for regency dress bodices would be amazing!
Rebecca, I absolutely LOVE your channel. Thank you for consistently bringing relevant and exciting content. Your knowledge, editing, styling, and skill sets constantly impress me 👌🏻🤩
This video is giving me the courage to try regency! I’m not plus size but I have a tummy and I’m always self conscious of how regency can easily turn maternity wear D: and this vid is giving me the courage to try! Thanks Rebecca!!!
Honestly this is so interesting, even for someone who's not plus size. I'm tall and larger-ish and your tips and tricks on how to dress for the body you have (not the one we are forced to fantasize about) are SO great
Thank you. The video was nice length, gave a clear and concise overview, and gave enough information and visual candy to feed one's imagination. Those costumes, hats were very delicious candy.
As always, you look so pretty in your dresses! Thank you for giving us curvier gals the confidence and example to follow for making our own clothes. One topic I would enjoy seeing is fixing common fit issues in plus sized corsets.
This was great! Love SockDreams - I've been a happy customer of theirs for over ten years and they are absolutely amazing, can't recommend them enough.
This video is very informative and its really a motivator for many other plus size costumers/cosplayers who are concerned or nervous about wearing Regency costumes. I love the Regency look since I feel so much more comfortable than with a Victorian ballgown with heavy petticoats and it makes me feel slimmer since it hides my tummy, taller since it makes me look like I have longer legs, and very elegant since the dress is sweeping the floor in a very delicate manner. I made my regency dresses out of spandex since its a lot easier for me to wear (its more of a comfort factor than the historically accurate factor) and I often pair my white regency dress with a taira and feathers in my hair, a sash of white or contrasting color of any soft fabric around my arms, and maybe a brooch or a necklace or crystal earrings. I might try my luck at making a long sleeved regency dress and a regency court gown in the future.
Ok, hear me out. Make your own gloves. I have and you just splay your fingers and lay your arm out and have a friend trace it out. Many glove making tutorials on RU-vid now.
I am loving these videos. Makes me want to branch out from dark age/early medieval (very simple construction for ease). I have 2 issues with doing later periods. 1) Plus sized person (size 30) patterns are impossible to find. 2) Corsets and stays. As a wheelchair user and being very squishy in the lower belly I find the longer line corsets can get really uncomfortable. Anything over the hips and my squish doesn't have anywhere to go. I have a couple of underbust corsets (modern) which end up being mid overbust due to being in the chair and squishy bits 😆
As a skinny man I'm not quite sure why I watched this to the end - perhaps the same reason I read novels? To get a glimpse of something other than my own life experience? Whatever the reason it was quite fascinating. Clothes can do so many things, and all of us deserve to sometimes feel like we look amazing, regardless of any issues we might think we have with our bodies. (Also, as others have mentioned: That blue spencer jacket... The colour, the fit; it just looked so flattering on you.)
I am really enjoying your vlogs, which I think I began following about two or three days ago. What I especially like about this one is the basic under garments and the delightful selection of over-garments and finishing each with accessories. I look forward to checking out the links in the description.
I don particularly like regency fashions but I find plus size women look lovely in regency era gowns to me is one of the most flatering historic Styles for plus size. I am plus size myself 😁
Very informative. I think it's a good idea to wear drawers/bloomers of some type under all historical dresses, even when drawers weren't commonly worn in some eras. I can't imagine how embarrassing it must've been for women who didn't wear drawers, when they got into any kind of accident that lifted their skirts high enough.
Hi Rebecca! The place I got my long dinner gloves was Regency Marketplace. I got them for $30. They're temporarily closed online b/c of COVID but they'll open back up soon. I really liked their gloves, they're not too tight on my arms, and they actually go all the way up my bicep. I've tried several different ones and these are my favorite. Happy searching!
I love regency! It was my "gateway" into the fun of costumy/history bounding. I guess you could say I'm plus size, but I'm really that awkward in between place. As a teen I made 2 1810's gowns to wear with (gasp) regular underwear. I love them and wore them all the time! I'm with you on Team Waistband as well. I must have a waistband!
Me: already subscribed and liked video Lady Rebecca: "if you want more of this kind of content remember to like and subscribe!" Me: FNEEERGH. I want more of this! ... yes, I'm impatient, but it's only because I LOVE your videos and look forward to them ^_^
These look SUPER nice! And totally avoid the pregnant look and the stuffed sausage look. Both of these are a problem for me! Excellent tips!!!!!! Thank you!
This is so useful! I'm making my own long Regency stays at the moment and have Laughing Moon #138 all ready to go. I'd love to see content about how to dress in menswear as a plus size woman. I want to dress butch and be dapper and handsome but it's so hard to make the shapes of menswear work around an H-cup bust!
+LadyRebeccaFashions *How well would the Regency profile translate to separates?* I've two prospective nieces-in-law that find separates more practical than one-piece dresses, a fact that I'm taking into consideration for possible birthday gifting. Many vendors of late-Victorian skirts profiled for bustles, which majority contemporary women find undesirable.
Unfortunately, it pretty much doesn't translate to separates at all, at least not in the modern sense. The Regency version of separates would be things like a sleeveless jumper dress over a blouse, or a spencer over a dress. They didn't do skirts, since skirts won't sit at the high waistline.
This was a wonderfully informative video. Thank you so much. Regarding gloves, have you ever thought of making them? I have noticed many patterns but haven't bought one. Any thoughts?
Could you please share which fabrics you use for which garment?? I’m just starting with costuming and have a herd time figuring it out. Thank you sew very much.
I do cottons for most things in the Regency period -- cotton muslin for my shift, cotton twill for my corset, and flowy things like cotton voiles for the dresses, though if you want something fancier, you can do silks (mine are silk taffeta). The spencers are velvet and wool.
I'm not plus-sized (I don't think?) but I am other than standard shape, I'm always a little uncertain when patterns tell me to meaasure from my natural waistline, which is above the bottom of my ribcage. I have very little room between hip and rib for things like belts (if I stick my index and middle fingers in between rib and hip, I'm touching both with no room between fingers, so if I do a side-bend I have to twist a bit when I do it to pop my rib out of the way of my hip). Measuring from the narrowest part of me works OK for dresses but terrible for skirts and pants... if I were to wear pants or a skirt that went up to my "waist", they'd be very uncomfortable and I feel like Steve Urkel shortly before they slid down to just above my hips (where men's pants fit me). Any measuring, tailoring and pattern drafting advice for body shape "brick with boobs" would be appreciated! :D Also thanks for the tip about how to keep petticoats from wrapping around your legs, I always wondered why you'd want pin-tucks, and now I know!
a question about the waistband: Are you attaching the bodice to top of the waistband and the skirt to the bottom -- or are you making a ribbon and attaching it after putting the bodice and skirt together? Thanks for another great video.
I have never worn one but I really want to make a pair of either transitional stays or long stays . Which gives better support? And are the restrictive at all?
Thank you for covering this topic. I never realized that adding pin tucks and other details to the bottom of skirts helped prevent them from getting caught between the legs, or that your height determines how far up to start them. Did Regency women ever modify their stays to provide more coverage or keep the bust from spreading apart? I wonder if the sleeveless Spencer would work for a modern bra substitute, especially if modified slightly?
I think I've actually seen a short Regency stays pattern that is kind of like the sleeveless spencer, so I think it would work (sorry - I don't remember what company). In general though, lifted and separate was the goal for the bust in the Regency era.
You look so lovely in all dresses can’t pick a favourite look!!! I haven’t found a historical period that you didn’t look good in either. It’s nice to know that with the right under structure we can achieve the look of the era. Also thanks for the great links, it’s easier to click buy with reliable recommendations
I'm needing to make a corset for my common use as I have some weird measurements and requirements (some of them medical). I've been looking into S-bend corsets for inspiration, but honestly this one is boned just like my orthopedic lumbar belt. Perhaps I should try to adapt this one with a front opening busk for easier wear.
