A new gown! Or is it? Actually, it’s a new variation on an old theme of mine: Winona Ryder’s Newport archery ensemble from Martin Scorsese’s 1993 Age of Innocence adaptation.
![mayarcheryskirtbig Ensemble from the film.](https://i0.wp.com/www.strangegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/mayarcheryskirtbig.jpg?resize=266%2C427&ssl=1)
The ensemble is fiercely cute, with little faux pannier-looking things radiating out over the hips from a shirred panel on the skirtfront and layers of eyelet ruffles cascading down the skirt. It’s a little reminiscent of the gown on the left in this French fashion plate from the early 1880s:
![1880s-french-eyeletnypl Natural Form Eyelet](https://i0.wp.com/www.strangegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/1880s-french-eyeletnypl.jpg?resize=264%2C356&ssl=1)
My friend Tracie Arnold of Past & Present Creations made the fresh iteration of my original, beloved version of this gorgeous natural-form era ivy dress. The first dress – constructed by Victoria Riddenour, hand-embroidered by me, and photographed beautifully by Lani Teshima – had become too small to even THINK about wearing.
I wore the new ensemble to San Juan Capistrano on Halloween weekend, where my pal Cindy and I had tea and generally caroused around the old town area. Cindy wore a beautiful, embroidered black velvet ball gown that she’d made for Bat’s Day.
![Kali in 1880s natural form eyelet ensemble, photographed by Cindy Kali in 1880s natural form eyelet ensemble, photographed by Cindy](https://i0.wp.com/www.strangegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/P1100186.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
![Kali and Cindy in old San Juan Capistrano Kali and Cindy in old San Juan Capistrano](https://i0.wp.com/www.strangegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/P1100174-1.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
Outfit notes: The straw skimmer is a Victoria Riddenour original. My corset is Denise Nadine‘s late Victorian “Nettie” style. I made the combination undergarment (which you can’t see) from Truly Victorian’s 1876 combination pattern (TV105). My garnet earrings are from Lacis.
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