Your Wardrobe Unlock'd

1868-1875 is commonly known as "The First Bustle" period, but in fact it was one of several bustle periods in the 19th century, and it certainly wasn't the first!

This month we start a fashion review series, looking at the looping, shirring, pleating and draping methods that we now call a "bustle".

A common design element in the 16th & 17th centuries, Strap-work is an interesting and rich-looking textural technique that can enhance your garment without the need to spend a lot of money.

Alyxx takes us through a wealth of inspirational portraits and then shows us step-by-step how to reproduce the look.

Thank you very much if you took time out to answer the survey recently. In response to your feedback, we're going to try some improvements to the format of the Ask the Experts page.

There's such talent and experience amongst our readers as well as our writers that this month we'd like to enhance it and make it into a "Letters, questions and advice" page - so not only will you be able to ask questions, you'll be able to share your own tips and advice and your own experiences, as well as your letters, to the mix!

In our recent survey you told us that you'd like to see more how-tos involving costume accessories.

Loren Dearborn shares with us two easy techniques, using polymer clay, to create beautiful and convincing portrait and mourning jewelry appropriate for the 18th and 19th centuries.

One of my priorities when reproducing the fashions of any era is to be able to create something which can be simultaneously historically accurate and individual and distinctive in style. It is becoming harder and harder to accomplish this with Regency fashion due to the huge amount that is reproduced every year, partly due to the enormous popularity of Jane Austen.

In response I've made it my task to uncover some of the lesser known extant examples of Regency clothing, giving you a detailed insight into some more unusual examples of Regency outerwear. These are often found packed away, unseen, in the archives of museums for years, dropping into an oblivion of forgotten fashion styles.

You'll discover ways to make your own reproductions distinctive and imaginative whilst staying within the realms of historical accuracy: we'll begin by examining the pelisse and how to pattern it, then moving on to the spencer, cloaks, capes, mantles and wraps.