It would be wrong to call baroque just one of the styles of fine art. This is a whole era that was able to reverse a person's understanding of the world and himself. It was then, in the 18th century, that card games and "carousels" took the place of knightly tournaments, and mysteries - masquerade balls and theater. Sacred music turned into a pleasant play of sounds, interiors began to be decorated with paintings of landscapes and portraits.
Many changes have taken place in the appearance of people. Men began to shave their beards and mustaches, wear powdered wigs, and perfume themselves with aromatic essences. Women cherished the pallor of the skin, which was maintained with the help of abundant application of cosmetics. Naturalness was rejected like a vice. She was identified with extravagance, arrogance and brutality.
From classic to luxury
Magnificent baroque dresses were preceded by outfits from different eras. In the 15th century, the culture of Ancient Rome and Greece was remembered, paying attention to proportions, compositions and symmetry. Then came classicism - a time whereeveryone followed the rules: harmonious, orderly, and mathematically precise. It was calm, strict, perfectly beautiful, but … boring! The world was fed up with this, and at the end of the 17th century, classicism replaced the new style, whose name in Portuguese means "pearl of irregular shape".
Italians called baroque vulgar and strange. Classicism has always been correct, but what has come to replace it is terribly wrong. Everything was too much! "Too" is the word that accurately describes the new style.
After a century, time will turn back. With the advent of the era of romanticism, "carousels" begin to be held in the form of jousting tournaments, and natural beauty will again turn into virtue. However, the fashion for baroque dresses, with luxurious decorations, magnificent fabrics and lush lace, still attracts the attention of sentimental girls. Agree, what could be more romantic than imagining yourself as a beautiful lady at the brilliant court of Louis XIV de Bourbon, known as the Sun King.
In the 1930s, the fashion for the characteristic baroque silhouettes returned again - a deep neckline with lowered shoulders, a tightly tightened corset and wide sleeves. By the way, such outfits throughout the 19th century will interest beautiful ladies several more times.
Colors and features of baroque dresses
To easily determine this direction, it is enough to know the characteristic features:
- using the principle of layering in skirts;
- top and bottomclothes had contrasting shades;
- an abundance of details and decorative elements - lace, frills, ruffles;
- open neckline and puffy sleeves dropped to the shoulders;
- tightly cinched corset that shows off a wasp waist and lifts the bust, making it attractive.
Colors of fabrics for sewing outfits were chosen deep and very bright. This was necessary in order to make the embroidery look more spectacular against their background. Purple, burgundy, mother-of-pearl, brown, emerald and, of course, gold were considered to be in demand for dresses in the Baroque style of the 18th century.
Female appearance
The outfit primarily consisted of a corset. Then there was an incredibly fluffy skirt on a whalebone, which acted as a frame. Without him, she simply would not have kept her volume. Sometimes the dimensions were so large that the gentlemen were forced to stand further away, it was impossible to get closer. A dress with a long train was worn over it. At the same time, the petticoat diverged to the sides of the bodice, was always lighter and could be seen from under a darker outfit. The look was completed with high heels, gloves, fans, lace umbrellas and jewelry - always with large precious stones.
Photos of baroque dresses
An important contribution to the development of the fashion of this period was the elements characteristic of the Amazons of the late 17th century. Their attire consisted of a bib or shirt, fitted jacket, hat and long skirt. From the portrait of the Countess de San Geran, it is easy to understand that the Amazons were very similar to a man's costume. All the same figure-emphasizing silhouette, lushcuffs and jabot, cuffed sleeves.
Another characteristic feature was the drop-down overskirt. It is worth noting that cutting the bottom was invented before the Baroque era, but by the end of the 17th century this decision gained the greatest popularity. The overskirt was specially slit, then pinned up to showcase the rich trimming of the lower part. How it looked can be seen in the photo below.
By the way, Velazquez's works, where the Spanish artist depicted portraits of infant princesses, serve as a wonderful illustration of baroque dresses, and the very spirit of this era.
Details
A lot of attention was paid to jewelry and makeup. Laces, muffs, parasols, fans and walking sticks with elegant and ornate handles have gained immense popularity.
For fashionistas of the 17th and 18th centuries, the application of cosmetics was a prerequisite. As mentioned earlier, a pale, powdered face is an integral part of the Baroque style, and a fly on the cheek was considered a piquant finish.
The hairstyle was no less important. If in the Renaissance and Classicism it was as natural as possible, then in the heyday of the Baroque style, whole still lifes flaunted on the heads of women, which were always decorated with feathers, ribbons, stones, lace and even ship models.
Male look
Looking at the photo, it's hard to imagine how much it cost to sew one baroque dress in the 17th century. The stronger sex also had a hard time. Menwore pants to the knee and shirts, which were generously decorated with lace. They also wore long tight-fitting stockings. Oh yes, we almost forgot about knee-length caftans with a jabot or a laid-back collar. Do you think that bows are not a male attribute? No matter how ridiculous it may sound, but it was they, as well as lace, that were considered mandatory when sewing a suit. Even the shoes were worn with bows and buckles.
But that's not all! Powdered wigs weren't just for women. The men liked it too. They were incredibly tall and lush. And thanks to such a volume, lice and even … mice started up in them! It's easy to guess how people's heads itched. To alleviate the fate of being "in trend", they came up with special sticks with which gentlemen and ladies could scratch themselves during official receptions and masquerade balls. Well, don’t shoot such beauty in public!
Legacy
So, this is what we have today in the Baroque style:
- dresses made of brocade and velvet;
- puffed sleeves and skirts adorned with lace and bows;
- ruffles and draperies;
- neckline and sleeves dropped to the shoulders;
- shoes with large stones;
- fans;
- couplings.
Christian Lacroix is a prime example of a designer who favored the outfits of this era. No wonder, since his thesis was devoted to the history of costume.
The first collection of the fashion designer "The Beautiful Arlesian" had many references to the Baroque. It was dedicated to the south of France and was distinguishedvariegated patterns on a background of juicy flowers. Splendor, brightness and the notorious "too" mentioned earlier - all this was later present in almost many of his collections.
Modern interpretation
Today, baroque dresses can be seen at many fashion shows, but fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana were the first to demonstrate their vision of the dresses of this era. Decorative elements are still lace, to which crystals and rhinestones have been added. The designers paid special attention to the texture and color of the fabric, not forgetting the complexity of the compositions. The range of colors also remained unchanged. Exceptionally rich colors dominate here: black and gold; blue with silver, brown, purple and scarlet.
The images of the presented collection fell in love with everyone. It is difficult to disagree with the fact that large flowers on the fabric, tapestry and lace create a feeling of solemnity and joy. Golden ornaments and shades of crystals incredibly sparkle and shimmer on the texture of brocade, velvet and, of course, make the girl feel like a real princess.
Wedding Fashion
Ladies were already aware of their attractiveness and wanted only the best. Dresses were made of satin, satin and velvet. Gloves and fans were more often used as accessories. In cold seasons, outfits were decorated with natural fur, and muffs warmed hands. Putting on such dresses, and even thoroughly whitening their faces, the brides looked like porcelain dolls with a thin waist, graceful bare shoulders androunded with pannier skirt hips.
The tradition of looking expensive and luxurious has been preserved to this day. Therefore, designers, taking the fashion of the 17th-18th centuries as a basis, create their own interpretations of solemn images. For example, in 2013, Elle Saab presented a stunning baroque wedding dress (pictured below) in the collection of the Elle Saab fashion house.
As you can see, today the "irregular pearl" is still luxurious and no less eccentric. Clothing in this style is ideal for solemn and social events, but on one condition: if you tend to be bright and have no fear of looking "too" and "too".
