Discover Naples: How to make an 18th century Neapolitan lady's costume

Naples, with its rich and fascinating history, is a city rooted in the past, blending cultural, artistic and gastronomic traditions into a single, vibrant tapestry. Among the many aspects that make Naples unique, 18th century Neapolitan fashion represents a particularly fascinating chapter, characterized by elegance and pomp. In this article, we aim to guide you through a creative and historical journey that will allow you to create a typical lady’s costume of the time, an experience that will not only bring you closer to the Neapolitan cultural heritage, but will also lead you to rediscover the beauty of sartorial art.

Our guide is divided into ten fundamental points, each of which will explore a crucial aspect in creating a costume that faithfully reflects the aesthetics of the 18th century. We will start with historical research, fundamental to understanding the origins and influences of Neapolitan fashion of the time, and then move on to the selection of fabrics, an essential element to guarantee authenticity and quality to your dress.

Every step, from creating the bodice to making the skirt, down to the details of the sleeves and accessories, will be treated with attention, as will the period hairstyles and makeup that will complete your look. We will not forget the choice of footwear, an often overlooked but very important element. We will conclude our adventure with the “finishing touches” and the final test, moments that will give life to your dream of wearing an authentic 18th century Neapolitan lady’s costume. Prepare to immerse yourself in a journey that celebrates not only fashion, but also the history and culture of one of the most fascinating cities in Italy.

Historical research

Origins and evolution

Historical research is fundamental for the creation of a period dress, in particular for an 18th century dress. This period is characterized by a unique elegance and refinement, which is reflected in the details of the clothing. To create a dress that is faithful to the era, it is necessary to carefully study historical sources, such as paintings, photographs and documents of the time.

Typical materials and colors

The fabrics used for 18th century clothes were mainly silk, velvet and brocade, decorated with embroidery and lace. The most common colors were blue, pink, green and gold, which gave the dresses a regal and sumptuous feel. The choice of fabrics and colors is essential to recreate the atmosphere of the era and give the dress an authentic elegance.

Style and details

The dresses of the 18th century were characterized by fitted bodices and full skirts, which gave women a sophisticated and feminine silhouette. Details such as lace, ribbons and gold and silver applications made the dresses even more precious and refined. Recreating these details with care and precision is essential to creating an authentic period dress.

Selection of fabrics

Precious materials for a period dress

The selection of fabrics is a fundamental step in the creation of a period dress, which requires the utmost care and attention. To faithfully recreate clothing from the past, it is essential to use high-quality, high-quality materials, similar to those used in past centuries.

For a historic eighteenth-century dress, for example, you can use fabrics such as silk, velvet, brocade or damask, which were very popular in that era. These materials are rich, elegant and give the dress a sumptuous and regal appearance, perfect for a baroque style event or demonstration.

The choice of fabrics also depends on the type of dress you want to make: for an evening dress you can prefer brighter and brighter fabrics, while for a day dress you can opt for more sober and delicate fabrics. It is also important to consider the consistency and texture of the fabrics, which must be consistent with the style and era of the clothing item.

Finally, the selection of fabrics must also take into account the wearability and comfort of the dress: it is important to choose materials that are comfortable to wear and that adapt well to the silhouette of the body, to guarantee an elegant and sophisticated look in every occasion.

Creation of the bodice

The bodice:

The creation of the bodice is one of the most important phases in the creation of a period dress in the eighteenth century. This item of clothing plays a fundamental role in outlining the typical female silhouette of that era, characterized by a narrow waist and a well-structured bust.

To create the bodice, fine fabrics such as silk or velvet are used, decorated with embroidery and gold or silver details that add a touch of elegance and refinement to the garment. The choice of fabric is essential to guarantee the correct fit and resistance of the garment over time.

Once the fabric has been selected, we move on to creating the bodice model, which must adapt perfectly to the body measurements of the person who will wear it. We then proceed with the cutting and sewing of the various pieces that make up the bodice, which must be assembled with extreme precision to guarantee a perfect fit.

Finally, details such as flounces, lace and ribbons are added which enrich the garment and underline its importance and beauty. The bodice is completed with closures such as buttons or laces that allow you to adjust the fit and guarantee maximum comfort for the person who will wear it.

The creation of the bodice requires great skill and artisanal precision, and represents one of the key elements in the creation of a period dress in the eighteenth century.

Creation of the skirt

Selection of fabrics

Creation of the bodice

Making the skirt

The creation of the skirt requires time and patience, as every detail must be taken care of with precision to obtain a final result of high quality and authenticity. The skirt is sewn and assembled with care, following the lines and typical proportions of 18th century clothing. Once the skirt has been completed, we proceed with the assembly of the entire dress, thus completing the desired period look.

Sleeves and details

Sleeves:

The sleeves of dresses in the 18th century were particularly elaborate and varied depending on the style and era. Puff sleeves were very popular, as were bell sleeves and three-quarter length sleeves. The choice of sleeves often depended on the type of dress and the occasion for which it was worn. The sleeves could be decorated with lace, embroidery, ribbons and lace to add a touch of elegance and refinement to the dress.

Details:

The details of eighteenth-century clothes were extremely important and reflected the style and personality of the wearer. The clothes could be enriched with details such as decorative buttons, floral embroidery, lace, ribbons and beads. Even the linings of dresses could be richly decorated to add a touch of luxury and sophistication. Details were essential to create a unique and impressive dress that stood out from the others.

Essential accessories

Accessories are essential to complete the 18th century look and make the dress even more elegant and refined. Here are some of the essential accessories to complete the outfit:

Wig: Wigs were very popular in the eighteenth century and were worn by both men and women. Female wigs were often decorated with silk bows, flowers and feathers, while male ones were more sober and generally gray or white in colour.

Fan: A fan was an indispensable accessory for women of the time, used not only to refresh themselves but also as a tool for non-verbal communication. The fans were often decorated with lace, pearls and embroidery.

Jewelry: Necklaces, earrings and bracelets were an integral part of eighteenth-century clothing. The jewels were often made with precious stones such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds, and enriched with pearls and golden filigree.

Hat: Women wore hats of various shapes and sizes, decorated with ribbons, flowers and feathers. Men, however, preferred tricorns or bicorns, often embellished with silk rosettes and colored feathers.

Bags: 18th century bags were small and decorated with embroidery and lace. They were worn on the wrist or waist, and contained essential items such as scented handkerchiefs, gloves and facial powders.

Wearing the right accessories was essential to complete the eighteenth-century dress and show one's social status and aesthetic taste. Carefully choosing every detail was important to create an elegant and refined look, which fully reflected the style of the time.

18th century hairstyles

Introduction

Eighteenth-century hairstyles are characterized by unparalleled elegance and refinement, reflecting the importance given to beauty and appearance during this period. Women of the time dedicated many hours to hair care and creating complex and sumptuous hairstyles.

Main styles

One of the main hairstyles of the 18th century was the "fontange", characterized by a knot of fabric or lace placed on the top of the head, often enriched with feathers, flowers and jewels. This style was particularly popular among courtly women and was often accompanied by elaborate curls and braids.

Another common style was the "pouf", which consisted of a high, voluminous hairstyle made with the help of wigs, horse manes and wire nets. This style was particularly suited to formal occasions and was often embellished with colored silk ribbons and ribbons.

Accessories

To complete 18th century hairstyles, accessories such as headbands, combs, hairpins and brooches decorated with pearls and precious stones were essential. These accessories were used to hold complex hairstyles in place and to add a touch of luxury and glamour.

In conclusion, 18th century hairstyles represent a moment of great creativity and splendor in the history of fashion, characterized by elaborate styles and refined accessories that highlighted the taste for luxury and beauty of the time.

Vintage makeup

Makeup in the 18th century

In the eighteenth century, makeup was very different than what we know today. Women of that era primarily used natural ingredients to create their makeup, without using chemicals like we do today. Pale skin was considered a sign of beauty, so women used rice powders to lighten their faces and hide any imperfections. The cheeks were instead reddened with natural pigments such as carmine red.

Eye makeup

For the eyes, eighteenth-century women used black eyeliner to define the shape of the eyes and eye shadows in dark shades to create an intense look. The eyebrows were instead outlined with dark powders to accentuate the look. The lips were often red and plump, with the use of natural pigments to give them color.

Rice powder

Rice powder was an essential element in eighteenth-century makeup. Used to lighten the face and give a matte effect to the skin, it was applied generously to the face to create a porcelain effect. Women often used perfumed powders to make their makeup more pleasant and fragrant.

In conclusion, makeup in the eighteenth century was characterized by a natural and elegant look, with a particular emphasis on pale skin, intense eyes and red lips. Using natural ingredients and simple techniques, women of that era were able to create sophisticated and timeless makeup.

Choice of footwear

Types of eighteenth-century footwear

In the 18th century, footwear was a fundamental element to complete women's and men's clothing. The shoes of the time were characterized by elegant and refined shapes, made with high quality materials and decorated with refined details.

Choice of shoes for an eighteenth-century dress

When it comes to choosing footwear to match an eighteenth-century period dress, it is important to take into account the style and color of the dress itself. The shoes should be in line with the clothing of the time, preferring models with medium or high heels, made of silk or velvet and decorated with bows or embroidery.

For women, ankle-length shoes with spool heels were particularly popular, while for men, flat shoes with buckles were among the most popular styles.

Shoe accessories

To complete the look, it is possible to add some accessories such as bows, buckles or metal decorations to the eighteenth century shoes. These details can be combined with the dress or jewelery worn, creating a harmonious and refined ensemble.

Choosing the right footwear is essential to accurately recreate the atmosphere and style of the eighteenth century era, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to historical clothing.