When Calls the Heart - TV Series Costumes

I am a big fan of  the When Calls the Heart tv series, and was so excited when the new series aired over the weekend, but what is with the costumes and hairstyles???!!! As a historical clothing enthusiast, I can't help but get slightly irritated by the clear lack of historical accuracy when it comes to the costumes the actors wear and how their hair is styled, in both this series and the last. For a show that is set in the 1910s many of the outfits look like vintage-inspired modern clothes, or just plain modern.

Here are a few examples:

(Hallmark website)

The women look alright, but Jack (gentleman on the right) looks like he has just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren (don't get me wrong he looks good, but definitely not 1910s). And this is the outfit (or a very similar one) that he wears to lunch at a smart restaurant in Hamilton. What self-respecting man during that time period would go out to lunch in a smart city restaurant without wearing some sort of cravat/tie. I highly doubt the restaurant owners would allow him in their establishment whilst not wearing one. 

(Hallmark website)

This image could be from a modern day drama, with one of the characters having a penchant for wearing cravats! Why is the ladies hair not up? They are not in an informal setting, which would allow for such a relaxed style in that era. I'm sure I have read somewhere that up until the 1920s, loose hair = loose morals, so no respectable women would consider wearing their hair down in public. (I could be wrong though).

(Hallmark website)

 This image of Elizabeth and Jack could be 21st century aswell (minus the suitcases. Though I am sure there are vintage enthusiasts who use similar suitcases today). There was also one scene (which I couldn't find an image of) where Elizabeth's sister Julie is wearing a skirt with a giant slit up the back!!!

(Hallmark website)

However, some of the costumes aren't half bad. These outfits look much more period correct.

Edit: I now realise that the above photo was taken from Season 1 when they clothes were much better. They seem to be getting worse and worse each season (as does the hair and make up)!! :(

I don't profess to being an expert on Edwardian clothing, far from it, just an enthusiast who has visited many clothing museums and read a few books. It's just from everything I have learned most of the costumes look far from period correct. 

What do you all think? Any opinions/knowledge? I would be very interested to hear what anyone thinks.

Tea at Fortnums

Welcome back, we have now reached November 2014 (slowly getting through the posts that should have been written last year!) 

My Birthday. Not sure if I have ever mentioned this, but as a sort of tradition, every year on my birthday I go out to tea with my family. Sadly this year my siblings couldn't make it, but my parents and I had a lovely time. We decided to go to The Parlour Restaurant in Fortnum and Mason's. It's kind of an American style ice cream parlour with a Georgian twist. 

Delicious hot chocolate. It wasn't exactly a traditional tea - no scones or sandwiches...

but it was yummy.  Scrumptious banana split. :)

And I rounded it off with a lemon macaroon, by which time I had switched to good old Earl Grey. :)

I apologise for my severe lack of photos! Hopefully I will go there again soon, and will take many more photos. 

A Regency Weekend in Lyme Regis - Part 2

To follow on from the last post - another photo-heavy post!! :)

At some time during the weekend we went for an adventurous walk up on (I want to say cliffs but I am not sure if that is entirely accurate!!) Anyway, it was a walk that Jane Austen was known to have taken. And the view from the cliff/mountain/hill was gorgeous.

Another view

And yet another.

At another point during the weekend, we also enjoyed a bit of dancing (because it wouldn't be a proper regency weekend without dancing! :)  )

Another item of clothing that I fell in love with - Karin's beautiful gown. Look at those sleeves!!!!!! She is a seriously talented seamstress!

I really should apologise for what is clearly a very slapdash post. It is far from smooth flowing! I have got to remember to document events as soon as possible after they have happened, otherwise I forget everything and end up with delightfully confusing post such as this one!!

This is an abandoned hotel where many famous people have stayed (I am pretty sure it is where Beatrix Potter was one of the said people). Sadly it is abandoned and in a bad way as I think there is some dispute between the current owner and the local community/council. If I recall correctly, the new owner is a property developing company, so you can guess what the argument is about. I really hope the building is saved and reopened as a hotel. We sneaked a looked through some of the windows and there was much faded grandeur to be seen. It must have been a very elegant hotel at one time.

Completely off topic but thought I had to include it - a Branksy drawing/mural in a quite corner of the town. 

This house is where Austen is believed to have stayed on one of her visits to Lyme. 

The house used as Captain Harvell's house in the 1970s version of Persuasion.

Congratulations if you have survived all the way to the end of the post! :) I hope you enjoyed it! I promise to try and make sure that the photos on my next post are at least in chronological order!! :)

A Regency Weekend in Lyme Regis - Part 1

Way back in October I spent a lovely weekend with a few friends in the small seaside town of Lyme Regis. It is a place that I have wanted to visit for a very long time - ever since I saw the 90s version of Persuasion. So when I heard about a Jane Austen tour being organised in Lyme, I jumped at the chance.

On the first day it was chucking it down with rain, so we escaped the downpour by sheltering in the local museum. It's a lovely little museum that has a small wonderful section on Jane Austen and Regency England.

A reproduction bonnet made out of paper!!! I think it was made for some sort of competition.

Exquisite baby's cap

Beatrix Potter also visited Lyme. These are some of the sketches she produced whilst there.

Lace making. I would love to learn how to make lace, but it looks very complicated!!

Rachel's bonnet - ME WANT!!!! :)

So pretty.

Miniature food made for a dolls house!!

When the rain stopped, we ventured outside.Thankfully for the rest of the weekend the weather was quite good.

The beach

Promenading along beach. I think we were seeing how close we dared go to the water, whilst wearing our gowns.

We attended a very interesting talk on Jane Austen, given by one of her descendants. After the talk she showed us a few items of Austen's that had been passed down the family.

One of Austen's gloves!!!

A chemisette embroidered by Austen!!! So beautiful.

We  also spent sometime on the famous (very windy) cobb, from where Louisa Musgrove falls.

This is the view off the end of the cobb. Not there during the Regency Era. I think it was added about 5 years ago.

Leaning against the cobb listening to the very knowledgeable tour organiser Natalie.

On top of the cobb, looking out to sea. Did I mention it was windy!!

Considering whether to jump. :)

I have decided to split this post into two as I have way too many photos! :)

Battle of Vinegar Hill

A long while ago (so long ago I can't remember which month - I think it was June), I spent a weekend in Ireland at the reenactment of the Battle of Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy. A whole group of us got the ferry over to Ireland and spent a lovely, if slightly wet weekend in the town.

A view of Enniscorthy

The Castle in town. It is now a very good museum chronicling the history of the the town and its role in Ireland's history. However, it also has a long illustrious history itself, which includes time as a private residence, and a key building in a few battles.

A music recital in a local pub, part of an evening of merriment! :)

The first battle - in the streets of the town

Marching to the centre of town

Drill  (in a carpark!!)

Lining up in front of the memorial to remember those who fought for Ireland's freedom.

Relaxing before the battle

The battle on Vinegar Hill

It was a very interesting weekend. Learnt a bit about Irish history and met some lovely people.

A Long Overdue Update

I have been horrendous at posting recently. Partly because I haven't been to many events, due to me having a job where I have to work on a Saturday, and partly because I have become seriously lazy. It also looks like I will be going to even fewer events as in a week I am moving and starting a new job (one that will probably prevent me from attending most things even the Jane Austen Festival!! :( ). However a new place and a new job should be a good experience and will hopefully all work out.

Anyway enough of that. Here are a few photos from a couple of events that I was able to attend this summer:


Battle of Nations, Hunton Court:

Hunton Court

Marching to the house to be inspcted

Enjoying a small picnic whilst watching the battle

The battle

Promoting the 200 anniversary of Waterloo, at the Tower of London:

Camp - we were only there during the day so it was a very simple camp setup. 

A member of my group mixing modern and napoleonic army uniform!

Me with a Beefeater!! :)

I went to one more event, but will give it its own post. :)