There are projects that simply make me smile every time I look at them.
This Victorian-inspired accessory set is one of those projects.
It isn't a historical reproduction in the strict sense. Rather, it's my own interpretation of what a Victorian lady might have loved to own. A richly decorated drawstring reticule, a matching little pouch, and an elegant neckpiece, all made from the same luxurious fabric and embellished with lace, ribbons, beads, embroidery and just enough sparkle to make a magpie slightly jealous.
And honestly...
If there is one historical period that understood the phrase "more is more," it was the Victorian era.
No Smartphones, No Lip Gloss... So What Did Victorian Ladies Carry?
Whenever I carry one of my handmade reticules, someone eventually asks:
"But... what fits inside?"
My answer?
"Certainly not an iPhone."
Victorian ladies had rather different priorities.
A small reticule might contain:
- a lace handkerchief
- a tiny bottle of smelling salts
- a calling card
- a coin purse
- perhaps a dance card at a ball
- sewing needles and thread for emergencies
- a delicate fan
- maybe a small prayer book
- and, if one was particularly adventurous... a piece of chocolate.
No charging cable.
No power bank.
No emergency snacks for the children.
No water bottle the size of a fire extinguisher.
Life was simpler.
Accessories Were Often Displayed as Much as They Were Used
One thing I absolutely love about Victorian accessories is that many weren't hidden away in wardrobes.
Beautiful sewing baskets, embroidered bags, jewellery caskets, glove boxes and decorative boxes often became part of the bedroom itself.
The dressing table wasn't merely practical—it was a stage.
A lady's room displayed her personality through carefully arranged brushes, perfume bottles, ribbons, gloves and handcrafted accessories. Every object contributed to an atmosphere of elegance.
Function was important.
Beauty was essential.
That philosophy appeals to me enormously.
Why should beautiful things only appear on special occasions?
Glitter? They Invented the Art of Sparkle
People sometimes think that today's fashion industry invented glamour.
Victorians would probably laugh.
Silks.
Velvets.
Embroidery.
Passementerie.
Handmade lace.
Glass beads.
Jet beads.
Pearls.
Metallic threads.
Decorative trims.
Bows.
Buttons.
Fringe.
If it could sparkle, shimmer or catch the candlelight, somebody was already sewing it onto a dress in 1880.
Luxury wasn't loud.
It was layered.
Every centimetre revealed another tiny detail.
The longer you looked, the more there was to discover.
That's exactly what I wanted to capture in this little collection.
-
Victorian Drawstring Pouch € 49,95 -
Victorian Baroque Accessories Set € 225,00
My Own Interpretation
My set consists of three matching pieces.
First, a Victorian-inspired drawstring reticule—the iconic handbag of the nineteenth century.
Secondly, a small matching pouch, perfect for jewellery, sewing notions or little treasures.
Finally, a coordinating neckpiece that ties everything together, literally and figuratively.
Using the same fabric throughout creates harmony. It feels as though the accessories belong together, almost like they were commissioned by the same lady for a grand occasion.
I adore making matching sets.
They have a quiet elegance that never goes out of fashion.
I Could Make Reticules Forever
Out of all Victorian accessories, I think the drawstring reticule might be my favourite.
They're endlessly adaptable.
Different fabrics create entirely different personalities.
Rich jacquards become regal.
Velvets become romantic.
Silks become sophisticated.
Linen becomes charmingly understated.
And then there are all the embellishments.
Lace.
Ribbon.
Embroidery.
Beads.
Buttons.
Tassels.
Charms.
Pearls.
The possibilities never seem to end.
I honestly believe I could spend years making nothing but Victorian reticules without becoming bored.
Each one tells its own little story.
Wear the Bag That Belongs With the Dress
One of my favourite styling tricks is making a bag from exactly the same fabric as the costume.
Instant elegance.
Instead of searching endlessly for a handbag that sort of matches, the bag becomes part of the outfit itself.
It looks intentional.
It feels luxurious.
And it creates the kind of detail that people notice without immediately realising why everything works so beautifully together.
It's one of those small finishing touches that makes an outfit feel complete.
A Little Plea From One Maker to Another
May I gently encourage you to do something?
The next time you need a handbag...
Don't automatically buy another synthetic, polyester or—worst of all—plastic bag destined to fall apart after a couple of seasons.
Choose something with character.
Something handmade.
Something crafted from beautiful natural fabrics.
Something that could just as easily sit behind glass in a museum as accompany you on an afternoon out.
That's the beauty of traditional craftsmanship.
It doesn't follow fashion.
It quietly outlives it.
Timeless Beauty Never Really Goes Out of Style
When I made this little Victorian-inspired collection, I wasn't trying to recreate history stitch for stitch.
I was celebrating it.
Taking inspiration from a time when beauty was woven into everyday life.
When embroidery wasn't considered "extra."
When lace was almost a necessity.
When ribbons solved nearly every decorative dilemma.
And when a handbag wasn't just something you carried.
It was something you cherished.
I have a feeling this won't be my last reticule.
Not even close.
In fact... I already have fabrics waiting patiently for the next one.
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties