Tips for Achieving Historical Styles with Modern Clothes

Editing by @DannyBanner
@danbanstudio

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Citations:

00:00 Introduction
00:55 A word from Skillshare
01:55 Victorian waistcoat
05:59 Regency gown
09:35 Mid-Victorian (1850-60s) dress
13:12 18th Century shirt
17:01 19th Century shirt
19:51 Regency Spencer
22:20 Edwardian/Late Victorian skirt
24:57 1870s men's jacket
27:50 Honourable Mentions

[TheMimzez]

bernadette: "as we all know...."
me, who watches and enjoys all your videos but retains almost nothing about time periods: *nods along* yes yes, as we all know

[elizabethbeierle]

I work in construction and have had a wildly unnecessary dream to turn a basic safety vest into a waistcoat. It’s ridiculous and I want it

[Dipanjanakusary]

I feel like Bernadette is leaning more into the Victorian mob boss aesthetic and I'm here for it

Also thanks for the inspiration Bernadette !

[rburns]

May the powers protect me from the consequences of what I'm about to do to my husband's wardrobe.

[brandonfullenkamp]

While we're all aware Bernadette is not one to wear much makeup (or at least heavy enough makeup to notice), I'm living for this "vampy" look with smoky eye, red lip, and dark red ombre nails. This information was incredible, and I really appreciated the amount of menswear mentioned.

[merlijn-lottekrommenhoek]

Instead of thrifting multiple men' s shirts for the 18th century look and unpicking basically all of the seams, it might be an idea to thrift some white cotton bedding to make the garment from scratch by cutting the triangles and rectangles that you need. Less waste and less hastle I think <3

[threadsandpurrs]

I would love to have one of those cycling sweaters...
I love the idea of altering more modern garments to make them more fun and wearable. I agree that this could be a fun concept to make into a series.

[leahclo]

You entered my world today as a high school theatre costumer! We thrift everything, and then transform it. I have such a great time doing it.

[swordfish]

I made it into the video with my mum's brown dress! Unfortunately that photo didn't come out so well. There is a centre seam on the skirt and it has a slight puff of room in the stomach area, I suspect my mum may have worn it while pregnant with my oldest sister. I totally agree with the undergarments thing it looks a bit off with a modern bra and is far too tight with anything padded hence why I didn't bother with one for the photo. The printed pattern is basically fine line lotus flowers with leaves and daisies in a dark brown. Mum and I were trying to work out when she got the dress and we reckon it must have been about 1974-1976 but she was probably still wearing it into the 1980s when she started having children. Thank you so much for including my dress!

[Strampunch]

this is the kind of video I've wanted to see for a bit, especially as someone who wants to wear men's historical(ish) inspired fashion but is too short/narrow shouldered to purchase reproduction pieces or wear actual vintage, so thrifting and re-tailoring pieces is what I've tried to do. It's awesome to see the almost puzzle-like thought process on how to shift seams and pieces to achieve different silhouettes. Also really awesome to see successful examples of people doing this at the end of the video, it really shows what can be achieved!

[ksiberine]

A note on collar studs from an Episcopal priest who wears them daily: you can also source them affordably from clergy supply sources like Almy since most round Anglican-style collars are still detachable with separate shirts and collars.

[briefisbest]

I seriously enjoy seeing Bernadette discovering modern tablet art program basics and snickering in dramatic delight.

[mjgbabydragonlet]

Miss Banner, A joy to watch and learn from you. I have modified one of my deceased husband's dress shirts (he was 7 foot 4.5 inches when he passed, or 2.245 meters, wearing a Mens 21 38/39 Custom Made) into a Waistcoat. I used the extra material to make an apron, added pockets to my favorite pieces, still use it to patch pieces that need mending. The cotton that shirt was made from was such a sturdy textile. I do not know what the tailor used to make the garment, but it has lasted so well. My husband passed in 2010, still wearing his clothes (in new ways). People always compliment the vest/ waistcoat. I use it mostly when in business/funeral attire. (I volunteer with Veterans, funerals are common) I use it over a basic Navy sleeveless dress, under the blazer (fabulous find at a thrift store but a business suit by Talbots originally). I wear a turtle neck, or mock turtle neck when I am not wearing the blazer with the outfit. But now I feel like I need a lacy pirate shirt/poet shirt to wear with my waistcoat. I have some lace from a wedding veil I was gifted... Such good ideas!

[RufflesandSteam]

Thank you so much for the honourable mention! ❤️ The (up-)cycling sweater was such a fun project and I'm trying to make a tutorial for it. (EDIT: Video is up now on my channel)
Your video gave me a lot new ideas to change existing garments for my history bounding wardrobe. Thank you and the wonderful submissions.

[savinathewhite]

Lovely inspiration to go back over older things I no longer wear, and determine if they can be repurposed into something useful! (also, side note, your hair looked particularly amazing in this video - such style!)

[ViserionDeLaCourt]

Love how every videos comes with a default English CC because Bernadette articulates her sentences quite strongly.

[rubytook]

Currently hand sewing chemises to layer with my wardrobe. The plan is to eventually hand sew a summer wardrobe and a winter wardrobe. Each will have 3 skirts and 9 blouses. I finished two chemises and am almost done with a third. 😊

[Kayjayoh]

I think another thing to consider, especially if you aren't able to do a lot of actual alteration and/or only needs something in the "works if you squint/works in a darkish party" sort of level for Halloween, is that a lot can be done with modern clothes to *suggest* historical styles if you pay attention to the accessories and details. I have a couple of empire waist dresses from eShakti that are definitely modern, but if you grab a large square or triangular cotton scarf and arrange it over the shoulders and around the bust: bam! It's a fichu! Take a second scarf (long rectangle) to wrap around your head, maybe with a brooch or a feather and you can start to emulate Regency hairdressing.

Similarly, a vest with the addition of a pocket watch (or even just a chain held into place in the pocket with a pin) can do a lot to bring an old-timey look. Sleeve garters on a more modern with cotton dress shirt, etc. You can do a lot to evoke the *idea* of another era for a more casual costume party (or sneaky costuming at work) by considering those little details.

[janetroberts]

You’ve mentioned before that you have a really unique body shape and that typical historical patterns don’t always fit. Can you do a video about the challenges and successes of thrifting when your body doesn’t fit standard sizes? I’m in the unique position of being both chubby and short, so thrifting is a challenge for me, particularly for costume pieces.

[kellimbt]

I suspect this video will inspire many viewer projects! Would love if it became a series.