Thursday, April 7, 2011

To Wear or Not To Wear; That Is the Question!

I posted my query on Facebook earlier today, but for my dear friends who may not be on Facebook, I seek your advice and opinions!

I finished the bertha earlier this afternoon and tried everything on for one last fitting before sewing on the hook and eyes down the back. The bertha sits on the shoulders like a big collar. And it just seems. . .so. . .loud.

I know berthas like this were worn. This big, yes. Lace was worn. It's just me, I think. I personally prefer plain and simple. So here is a picture of the dress with the bertha: (since this time I've taken off the lace trim around the bottom of the bertha and cut its width in about half, and narrowed the lace where the shoulders narrow, so its not as loose and flowy). In the finished version, if I use the bertha, I will have green leaves and blue flowers in a cluster at center front.

And here is a picture of the dress without:

How should I wear this on Saturday? :( I asked David, and, of course, he had no opinion. Or rather he absent-mindedly said that the lacey bertha picture looked "nice" and the plain one also looked "nice." How very helpful.

I guess I want to look right. I see so many dresses that are over trimmed or badly trimmed and I have a horror of appearing like that. But also many lovely dresses are made with no trim, and they could definitely be improved, and look more period correct, with the right kind of trim.

Alas! Alack! I think I'll go hide in my plainest and simplest homespun. :(

Sarah

37 comments:

  1. The bertha is gorgeous! I say wear it, and feel special. :)

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  2. Dear Sarah Jane,
    A quandary indeed, and I see why your husband may seem to have waffled. The dress with the tucked and. Belaced bertha is indeed handsome and for the standards of the time, quite restrained, and with your figure, looks very well on you indeed. On the dance floor the lace would flutter beguilingly.

    Without the bertha the dress is beautifully seve and sets off your figure and face in a very different, very lovely way. So, like him, I reply, very, very nice.

    How about a third option? If the bertha does not suit your more ascetic side, why not trim the gown with that most ancient and effective device, a narrow barely frilled tucker in narrow lace or plain white light silk or organdy? Then you have a softening line, without the fluffiness.

    Whatever way you go, you will please and be pleased, I think.

    Very best indeed,

    Natalie

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  3. I, personally, am generally not a fan of berthas, but I think this one looks wonderful. I don't think it's too much, and the way you graded the lace makes it much more subtle. Of course, I AM a fan of lace, so that might be swaying my opinion. I think it looks lovely and you should wear it, but I sympathize with your dilemma, because I would feel too gussied up, too. My, what a help I am! ;)

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  4. What a nice problem to have - "which beautiful version should I wear?" :) I'm completely ignorant regarding Civil War fashions, but from a straight design perspective I much prefer the bertha - I don't think it's loud at all. I think it gives balance and visual interest to the gown.

    As extra incentive to wear it, I think your waist looks extra tiny with the bertha - the fullness on top emphasizes your waist. :)

    Beautiful job!

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  5. I prefer WITH the bertha!
    Without, the gown is still lovely, but it looks so much more complete WITH!!!

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  6. Oooh, I love the bertha myself, but I tend to be more of the lots-of-frills gown type. :-) I vote yes to the bertha.

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  7. I don't know what is more correct, but I love the bertha and the pearls! And the gloves. It looks so finished :)

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  8. Personally I like it better *with* the bertha. It looks more completed, not over-trimmed at all. Over-trimmed would be putting swathes of lace along the skirt. =P

    Without the bertha it looks too plain, to be completely honest. It would look alright if it were up on the shoulders like a day dress (I don't have the historical terms right, sorry - I'm still a baby in terms of 19th century clothing), but off the shoulders, I think it needs the bertha to be complete.

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  9. I completely adore your bertha! I am in the process of making one myself, but doubt it will turn out as nicely. I'd say go for wearing it, it seems to complete the period look.
    In the end though, whatever you're more comfortable with will be the most fun to wear, and you look lovely in either option!

    P.S. I've been enjoying your blog for quite some time, keep up the good work :)

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  10. I don't think the bertha is too much. I think it looks perfect. You always do such a nice job with everything you sew. :-)

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  11. Well, I think it looks great both ways, but I really like the lace best, I think. Before I give my opinion, I have a question: Is the lace top easy to remove? If so, I suggest wearing it to the event, and if, once there, you really don't feel comfortable in it, you can take it off and wear the dress plain.

    You said you are more of a plain person, and I say that, because the dress isn't a loud color, the lace doesn't make it too fancy, but just fancy enough. It sort of balances the plain-ness of the color with the extravagance of the shape.

    Very well done on the dress, by the by. Really beautiful!

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  12. I know NOTHING about how it should look to be period accurate BUT I love the first picture.It is very pretty and doesnt seem like "too much" to me. Good luck making a decision :0)

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  13. I love it with the bertha. After all, the bertha is still simply done, so it dresses it up without going over the top. I think it all pulls together because the lace on the sleeves matches. If it were me, I'd wear it with the bertha, definitely.

    Gorgeous dress!

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  14. This is the first time I've seen your blog and I just have to leave a comment. Absolutely you should wear the bertha! I balances out the skirt so nicely and is not at all over trimmed, but that's only my opinion from looking at the with and without photos. I've looked online at various CW ball gowns and yours is definitely not over trimmed.

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  15. Me and Michelle think you should wear it with the bertha. :) I think it looks perfect! Now I want to sneek into your house and take it. lol Don't get me wrong, it looks swell either way. But I personally think it looks more like a real ball gown with the bertha. Without it, it looks more like a younger girls' dress. JMHO. :)

    I don't think you'll appear as over trimmed. Or under trimmed fot that matter. Its just right. I think you look like you stepped out of a fashion plate!!! :)

    Anyhow wear it with pride either way. :D

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  16. I actually like the lace. I think it makes it look more like a ball gown. I don't think it's overly excessive and it "looks right." I think it would look very pretty with the flowers.

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  17. I don't think you should take of the bertha - it does give "the look". I'm not sure about the lace though... I'd make it less wide, if I kept it at all. Hmm... no, I'd probably keep the lace, but make it much narrower.

    I really like the tucks in the skirt :) A lovely dress, grey is a favourite colour of mine.

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  18. Hi Sarah:
    Your new gown is simply stunning on you! I prefer the bertha. I don't think it's "showy" at all. I think it just adds a bit more modesty, actually, and a perfect feminine touch. I'll look forward to reading how you decide to wear it Saturday.
    Hugs,
    Donna
    xoxo

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  19. Although the gown plain is very nice I think the bertha really adds a beautiful touch. Go with the bertha.

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  20. I vote for the bertha! It looks fantastic! Maybe the bertha without the lace? (although it looks beautiful with the lace, too)

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  21. I think if the lace would not be "peeking out" so much, if it were a bit narrower, it would be perfect with the bertha! Without it, it seems a bit unfinished to me, having seen so many plates and costumes with berthas...
    And great job on the bertha!

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  22. All I know about reinacting and period clothes I've learned from you, so my opinion mustn't count for much. I personally like the dress with the bertha better than without. It seems more balanced, somehow. And I think the double-puffed sleeves are magnificent!!!

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  23. All I know about reinacting and period clothes I've learned from you, so my opinion mustn't count for much. I personally like the dress with the bertha better than without. It seems more balanced, somehow. And I think the double-puffed sleeves are magnificent!!!

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  24. i think the bertha makes the gown look so right and period! while still beautiful, i don't think it seems as "finished" without the bertha. you look just like one of empress eugenie's ladies in the famous painting!

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  25. Oh Sarah! The dress is so beautiful. I vote for the bertha. It definitely adds just the right touch that says "ball gown". I agree with the idea of cutting the width of the lace in half, more on the same lines as the lace on the sleeves. Just lovely!!!

    Blessings,
    Tracy

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  26. I think that both look beautiful - how talented you are!

    Being a frilly, lacy girly girl I do like the detailed bertha more.

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  27. WITH... most definitely, gorgeous bertha.

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  28. I love the collar! I definitely think you should wear it; it is so pretty. I think the pleating and bit of lace add interest to the dress and make it more elegant. You look lovely!

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  29. I love the one with the betha and the lace. It seems finished to me. I think without it just looks to plain.

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  30. I'm for trimmed version . I think is right and not at all over trimmed or too lacy :D
    vesna

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  31. Sarah- The dress is very elegant and absolutely NOT overdone. The addition of the bertha collar balances the width of the skirt, accents the breadth of the shoulders, and makes your waist look very tiny (as was the point of this time period right?). The lace trim on the sleeves and collar adds an extra touch of femininity. All around, lovely.

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  32. I think the bertha is perfectly lovely!

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  33. Oh my! Thank you all for your responses! I don't think I've had this many replies to a post since my last birth or pregnancy annoucement. :P I appreciate your input very, very much.

    Natalie, I love your suggestion of a very narrow, lightly frilled tucker at the neck.

    Going with all your opinions, I think I will wear the bertha tomorrow. It looks a lot better with the narrower lace. The nice thing about a removable bertha is that it can be taken off or put on as I please. . .so maybe for my next ball, I can trim it different. Maybe it will be my "little black dress" only gray instead of black. :P

    Two things really stuck out to me from your responses! How the bertha helped my waist look smaller (hey, I'll take any help i can get in that area!) and how Brooke mentions it looks like a younger girls dress without the bertha. I can definitely see how that is true. So, thank you THANK YOU for your advice!!!!!

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  34. Personally, with the bertha. It just makes the dress look that more finished. Without, it is as if the dress needs just a touch of something else.

    blessings,

    elizabeyta

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  35. I think it is absolutely beautiful!!!! I think you should wear it!!!!!

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  36. Oh, Sarah! it looks so gorgeous with the bertha! The tucks in the bertha tie in perfectly with the tucks in the skirt and the whole thing looks smashing on your figure. Wear it! And imagine yourself as a similarly nervous lady in 1855 wearing her newest gown to a dance, so conscious of whether anyone will think her out of place in such a singular fashion, but winning them all over with her charm.

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  37. I say keep the bertha. It looks correct, is appropriate for your physique and for some reason seems to balance the decorative sleeves. it is not fashion or detail overkill. it is especially appropriate because the dress is a plain color (as opposed to having a busy or tacky pattern.)

    I like all of your projects and outfits. I keep up with your blog regularly. I was disappointed not to meet David at Reenactorfest (I got to meet his Commander and the mascot, though.)

    Noah Briggs
    The BluMass Cat

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Thank you for your lovely thoughts!