As part of the 400th Shakespeare anniversary, the staff at work (public library) dressed as characters from Shakespeare’s plays. The costume I wore is courtesy of Swan Theatre, a local amateur dramatic society. It was a great excuse to dress as Katerina from The Taming of the Shrew.
I am wearing the same white maxi dress underneath this as the red Jamaica Inn dress. It was a good find on Topshop.com.
Shakespearean theatre costume
What I used for a Sixties set
I went for a messy undone beehive. Big rollers, setting lotion and hairspray! I brushed out the curls but didn’t comb into a flick, separating waves out. If only my hair was a bit longer.
Jessica Brown-Findlay wears this lovely red dress in the BBC’s latest dramatisation of Jamaica Inn. I altered a pattern for a regency (Jane Austen) style dress. The ‘blouse’ is actually a maxi dress from Topshop and the leather boots from La Redoute.
Lace up back and corset
Back detail
I watched the DVD several times to get the correct fastening detail and neckline. The gathers along the yoke give more width along with cutting it as an A-line skirt. This makes it practical for walking. I intend on taking this dress next time I go on holiday on the moors. You might get a picture of the muddy dress then!
The real Jamaica Inn, as it is today
As promised, I have a few photos on Bodmin Moor, by Dozmary Pool. This is close to Jamaica Inn.
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I also went walking from Minions (a real village!) to the Hurlers and Cheesewring Mine in this dress and leather boots. Proof it is practical to walk across the moors in a dress. I wore a What Katie Did corset too (a version similar to the Sophia), just to find out what it was like, and it actually kept me nice and warm! It wasn’t uncomfortable, as I’m not training my waist, but just wore it snug to my natural shape. The support for good posture was actually quite nice, but I couldn’t curl up on the sofa!
Anyone else done this or am I the only one? Comment, DM on Instagram or email any enquiries about the dress. Any requests are made to order.
The Girl loves vintage 