The first lecture of the Warminster History Society’s Autumn Meetings 1976 was held on the evening of Monday 6th September, when Mrs. Sylvia Chard, of Horningsham, spoke on the subject of 18th century costume. Her interest in the subject grew from her work in the theatre.
A report of Mrs. Chard’s lecture noted:
It was most interesting to hear how various garments began in court circles and were adopted by the masses; or, contrariwise were taken up by the court and gentry after being successfully worn by the working-classes. This was particularly the case with the ‘Frock’, a male garment which later, with adaptations, became the ‘Frock-coat’.
Men apparently paid almost as much for cosmetics and hair care as their women-folk.
Fashion went to great extremes, prompting the beginnings of rival groups who aimed to counteract the extravagances so obvious among the upper-classes.
Female fashions were very romantic, made from rich, extravagant fabrics imported from France or Italy. The century saw a variety of styles from hoop-skirted dresses to saddle-backed dresses, to the gentle designs of the Regency period. Elaborate frills and laces were used as decoration by both men and women. Muffs were frequently seen as were other accessories such as canes, parasols, brooches, buckles, and watch-fobs.
Wigs were worn by men for most part of the century; female hairstyles were varied, the most bizarre of which was the style brushed high and elaborately decorated with all kinds of ornaments, seen around 1770 and 1780. Such creations were arranged and not dismantled for six to eight weeks at a time.
The scope of Sylvia’s talk was wide and included many charming details, too numerous to mention here. Thanks were extended to Mrs. Chard for giving such a lively and instructive lecture.