Beautiful Dresses From The Seventeenth Century...Next up within my newest blog feature, Researching For Romance, I'll share some lovely fashion finds! Historical novels/novellas share top billing in my romance reading favorites along with contemporary and paranormal. When writing a contemporary, dress is easily described in as elaborate or little detail as the author would care to go into. Within the paranormal world, the author can get downright creative - or not - as preference dictates. But when writing a historical, the fashion spectrum narrows.
The gowns and beautiful dresses of long ago enchant me. So, when I wrote my first historical novella, researching popular fashions was a treat! The mid 1600's were a period of varied dress for ladies. Courtly gowns were far more elaborate than the Northumberland countryside setting in which I have my heroine, Lady Mariel Hayes. (At that time, whether one was 'high' enough on the nobility ranking to rate the official title or not, the feminine persuasion was addressed or referred to as 'Lady' by polite society. Encyclopedia Britannica)Both of the gowns pictured are fine examples of what Mariel may have worn. The green above is just beautiful! I love the neckline and fitted waist.
In this painting, (Workshop of Gerard van Honthorst Title: Amalia van Solms (1602-75). Wife of Prince Frederik Hendrik. Date 1650 Medium Oil on canvas.) we see a princess' gown, which is bulkier and more elaborate. My hero and heroine are far lower on the nobility tier, Gervase being only a Baron.
One fashion accessory I had to include in Mariel's wardrobe was the snood. I own a few snoods myself, covering my hair a priority on those days when humidity reigns and my overly-zealous natural curls go wild! Wild, I say! Here's a beautiful snood my research produced. I modified it's sparkly look to tone it down a bit for my Mariel, who is not a flashy character. Ha!
What is your favorite historical dress style? (I'm also partial to empire waisted gowns, but that's for another post!) Do you research clothing, too?
On The Writing and Goals Front ~
* Chapter five is moving right along. My heroine begins to be affected by our rakish hero, as she catches glimpses of what lies beneath his exterior. How? Why? Well, he's come up against an enigma...a woman who challenges him, confuses him. As he begins to know her, through their interactions and through watching family dynamics, he's drawn to her. She's not what he expected. He understands that he wants to have her know him...wants to earn her trust. It's a good time for me as a writer to eek these two characters toward one another little by little.
* Exercise is checked off the list for this week. I broke the minute mark in holding a breaking parallel squat. Noodle legs followed. It was a glorious feeling....well, after I got my sea legs back. Ha!
* Social media goals - check. Easily.
* Promotion is wild and crazy. Summer Kick-Off has me offering my latest, The Third Fate for only $0.99 through the month of June. Reviews are coming in, emails are flying back and forth through cyber-space, and I'm smiling ear to ear. Even though it can be harried and consuming, I'm having a blast. Thanks to all the readers who've taken the time to post reviews and stars. You all make me smile.
* The Third Fate's online tour with IO will wrap up this week. I've been introduced to some fantastic review sites, and look forward to following.
* Another round is nearing the close. The next will begin 02 July! I need to set my goals over the next two weeks to prepare. I've decided to push hard through the next round, and may set a goal to be ready for edits on my current WIP by next round's end. It's a daring move, but I'm feeling it....we'll see!
Have a great week, everyone!
~ Nadja
