Williamsburg Rose 18th Century Ladies' Fashions

featuring a variety of Formal and Informal styles for the modern
18th Century Woman's re-enacting activities.

This collection of Ladies' wear represents many attractive styles worn during the 18th Century in England, France, and Colonial America. Unless otherwise noted, all styles are back-laced. Gowns are adapted slightly for the modern figure, and are made to be worn with modern underpinnings.

Whether you are looking for something with a difference for daytime wear, a custom ensemble for a Special Occasion, or trying to find the perfect gown for making an entrance at the Regimental ball, you're sure to find something to please your personal fashion style in our selection below!

*Lady's Day Dress * Lady's Ballgown *Sack-back Gown *
* Lady's Maternity Dress * Lady's Maternity Jacket *Laced-front Ensemble *
* Custom Bridal Wear * Festival Dress * "Basic"Dress *

* Lady's Colonial Accessories Page *

HOME - Colonial fashions - Victorian fashions - Doll Fashions - ORDER FORM

Please Note: Outfits require a 6-12 week time frame (from acceptance of the order),
as each outfit is custom made to individual specifications and designs.

18th Century Day Dress

This is the simplified version of a period design for informal everyday attire. The bodice has a square neckline, edged with lace with a "breast knot" or bow in the center front. Elbow length sleeves are finished with a ruffle of lace. The full skirt is gathered into a natural waistline, dipping to a graceful point in front. The gown has a back-laced placket closing.
Price: $350.00

Day Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons, or
Floral 18th century type cotton prints

When ordering, please give 3 color options

Lady's Ball Gown

This formal ensemble is made up of the petticoat (underskirt) and gown, the common components of the 18th century lady's wardrobe. Like the day dress, the ball gown also features a low square neckline and natural waist. The center front of the bodice is trimmed as a false stomacher with a layer of lace emphasizing the pointed center front. Sleeves are elbow length with rich, frothy flounces of lace at the elbows. Bands of ruched lace, called "robings" run up the front edges of the gown and around the neckline.
The petticoat is a full underskirt with a wide flounce of lace along the front lower edge.
The gown has a back-laced placket closing.

Price: From $500.00

Ball Gown Fabrics: Antique Satin, Smooth Satin, Moire.
Please call for availability or to discuss other fabric options.

 

Laced-front Gown

The Gown has a pointed front and back waistline and full skirt. The Dress Bodice has a low, round neckline edged with self-fabric ruching. Sleeves are elbow-length and have a small self-fabric ruffle at the wrist edge. Gown fastens with a laced placket in the center front. The gown skirt opens in front and is trimmed with self-fabric ruching along the front edges. The matching Petticoat has a ruffles of self-fabric trim along the hemline.
Ensemble is offered in solid-color cotton/poly only
Please state 1st, 2nd & 3rd color choices
Price: $400.00

Robe a la Francaise
or Sack-back Gown

This is the classic version of the lovely 18th century "Sack-back" gown,the Robe a la Francaise, circa 1770

Dress has a fitted front, with adjustable laces over a separate stomacher, and a full pleated back. Robings of gathered lace edge the bodice, stomacher, and skirt sides. Sleeves are trimmed with one flounce of fabric and two of gathered lace. The seperate petticoat has ruffles of fabric and lace. Gown skirt features inside loops and ties to create the fashionable, gathered-up, "polonaise" fashion look.

Two piece ensemble : Gown, skirt, and stomacher may be done in contrasting colors, please state color preferences.
(Fabrics may not be mixed- ensemble is done in a single fabric)
Price: $850.00

Fabrics: Antique Satin, Smooth Satin, Moire.
Please call for availability or to discuss fabric options, such as silk or brocades.

18th Century Bridal and Wedding Attire

At Williamsburg Rose, you will find the most elegant styles for gowns and accessories for 18th century Bridal attire for a truly unique Historic Wedding. Please call for design consultations or to discuss fabric options.

See More Custom Bridal/Formal Attire

Shown: Custom designed Bridal Ensemble, circa 1780's Robe a l'Anglaise Gown in ivory silk dupioni, with antique lace; seperate petticoat with double hem ruffles; center view shows train polonaised with interior ties

Lady's Maternity Dress

For all your lifestyle needs!

An attractive 18th century style "Robe Volante" adapted for modern-day use for the perfect-and stylish - Maternity gown.

This style has extra roomy front pleats to accomodate the changing figure. The Gown fastens with a lace-across front stomacher and has sack-back pleats for additional comfort.
This design is available in both full-length, one piece dress with a center front seam (no seperate petticoat needed) or as a knee-length "Pet-en-l'air" jacket style with lace-across front stomacher and sack-back pleats.

"Basic" and "Festival" Dresses For those who require the look of a Colonial-styled dress. This is the perfect solution for women who are not re-enactors on a regular basis, but want to look the part for a wedding, historic festival, heritage day, or special event. Both dresses in this section are very simple in make and fit. They are one-piece dresses, made to be worn with modern undergarments, with some ease of fit. These styles are not meant for use with side-hoops - - the skirts are even length all round. Dresses have a laced-back fastening with a center modesty placket, and there is some size adjustment possible. . . . .Please note- this dress style is NOT custom-fitted but is made in regular dress sizes; please be sure to send accurate bust and waist measurements! Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons only.
"Basic Colonial dress"		" Festival Dress"
Basic dress A "no-frills" version for those who want a truly plain, basic dress, wish to add lace and trims themselves, or prefer to accessorize with a choice of seperate clothing pieces (i.e. kerchief, apron, etc.). The bodice has a square neckline, and a plain round waistline. Sleeves are plain and end just above the elbows.The full skirt is gathered into a natural waistline. The gown has a back-laced placket closing. Skirt is approx 42" long all round with a basted hem, which can be worn 'as is' or shortened by the wearer. (Not made to be worn with panniers.) Please note- dress is NOT custom-fitted (as are our other gowns) ,but is made in regular dress sizes; please be sure to send accurate bust and waist measurements! Price: $130.00 Basic Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons only		Festival Dress This is perfect for historic house guides,or for those who want to the "Colonial look" for a special event at an historic site. The bodice has a square neckline,and is edged with lace. Elbow length sleeves are finished with a ruffle of fabric and lace. The full skirt is gathered into a natural waistline, with a pointed front, and has a contrast front panel. The gown has a back-laced placket closing.Skirt is approx 42" long all round with a basted hem, which can be worn 'as is' or shortened by the wearer. (Not made to be worn with panniers.) Please note- dress is NOT custom-fitted (as are our other gowns) ,but is made in regular dress sizes; please be sure to send accurate bust and waist measurements! Price: $180.00 Festival Dress Fabrics: Solid color cottons

Ordering Information: Fabrics and Styles -

Outfits are available in the fabrics as stated in individual descriptions:When ordering, please give 1st, 2nd and 3rd color choices, or send color sample - they will be matched as closely as possible.

With Gown/Petticoat outfits,two colors (in the same fabric) may be requested.
(Sorry, no mixing of fabrics - outfits are done in a single fabric type only.)

Side-hoops were commonly worn with all these styles; please remember to state if your gown should be cut to be worn with or without side-hoops.(except for Basic and Festival dresses)

Please Note: Outfits require a 6-12 week time frame (from acceptance of the order),
as each outfit is custom made to individual specifications and designs.