18th-Century Gothic Jacket

My favorite item of 18th-century women’s clothing is the jacket — there are so many varieties and styles, they’re relatively easy to make, and you don’t need much fabric! Plus, you can mix and match jackets with different petticoats to style yourself a fun, versatile wardrobe. I’ve used the J.P. Ryan 18th-century ladies’ jackets pattern in most of the views, and it goes together smoothly.

So when I was thinking of an quick, new outfit for a friend’s party with costumes requested for the period 1770-1810 and a theme of “protest,” naturally I turned to this pattern. Because I’m always protesting against strict historical accuracy and since I’m a goth, I finally used this black-and-grey printed cotton tablecloth I’d been saving for years. I think it’s from Sin in Linen, but it could have been from Target. Either way, I bought two at the time, one for my actual table, and another for yardage.

I used the pattern mostly as-is, maybe I exaggerated the length, or it just runs long on my shortness and I liked that? Can’t recall. And since I was making this in a weekend, I didn’t have time for cuffs or any trimming. I just pinned it closed, and due to my hasty fitting, I had to pin up the point in the front a bit because it didn’t sit right. Eh, whatever, I can re-cut that another time!

This was an excuse to wear my lavender Dunmore shoes and rainbow buckles from American Duchess.

My old black silk petticoat was also put to use, with a bum pad and fluffy petticoat underneath, as well as 18th-c. stays. I accessorized with my favorite crazy messy ‘hedgehog’ wig topped by a starched organdy cap I made way back when. A wide purple satin ribbon served as a sash, and a some bat and skull jewelry finished the look.