Grande Redingote á lŽAnglaise
Less formal, even sportive, but marked by incomparable style and precise, unadorned elegance – not least due to the feminine use of masculine attributes – wardrobes appear which were worn for riding and/or travelling. Many of these were inspired by English fashion, by timeless English understatement. Thus, our choice what to use as model fell upon an English picture, too: the portrait of Mrs Stevens, painted by Francis Wheatley around 1790.
Despite this reserved chic (and the thus displayed sensitivity for fashion), wardrobes of that kind were destined to be of practical use and had to be robust. Therefore, skirt and coat are made of wool, to be specific: of finest and smoothest woollen cloth of the company HAINSWORTH, and are lined with roll compacted linen. According to a contemporary source “all dark colours were fashionable”, which is why we used a rich, dark umber.
The waistcoat consists of cream coloured silk which has been woven specially for this order. A frisky detail are the pleated ruffles made of antique 18th century batiste decorating the shirt.
Many of the numerous particulars are opened up at second or third glance. Nevertheless we paid greatest attention to them. The shirt is enriched with antique cuff links, shiny gilded buttons (reproductions of originals) highlight the coat and the waistcoat is fastened with tiny antique buttons made of mother of pearl and delicate cut steel flowers. Moreover, we picked up the tie pin that is to be seen in the picture and discovered a wonderful antique equivalent.
see description
