V. BirchwoodAt 2AM one morning, I went down a research rabbithole: what did the Ancient Greek people do for underwear, more specifically bust support? That led me to learn about the Ancient Greek "bra" (it's not really a bra, well it sort of is. I guess that could be the closest modern equivalent). In this video, I discuss my research and findings, as well as do a little experimental archaeology by recreating the "bra" (strophion) and wearing it myself to see if it actually works as bust support.
Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Ancient Greek Dress.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grdr/hd_grdr.htm (October 2003)
I Made an Ancient Greek BraV. Birchwood2024-07-12 | At 2AM one morning, I went down a research rabbithole: what did the Ancient Greek people do for underwear, more specifically bust support? That led me to learn about the Ancient Greek "bra" (it's not really a bra, well it sort of is. I guess that could be the closest modern equivalent). In this video, I discuss my research and findings, as well as do a little experimental archaeology by recreating the "bra" (strophion) and wearing it myself to see if it actually works as bust support.
Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Ancient Greek Dress.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grdr/hd_grdr.htm (October 2003)
I absolutely love Pre-Raphaelite fashion and I wanted to give myself a Pre-Raphaelite makeover and talk a little about Pre-Raphaelite art and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB). I hope you enjoy watching!
Welcome to another episode of the Historical Food Week series. This time I'm travelling to the Victorian era and eating only Victorian food for an entire week.
If you'd like to support the making of future videos like this one, then please consider joining my Patreon for just €4.00 per month ☺️✨ patreon.com/c/vbirchwood
Mrs. Beeton's Everyday Cookery is where I obtained all the recipes for this week. It is believed to have been originally printed in the 1860s, and here is a link to an early 1900s edition in the public domain: archive.org/details/mrs-beetons-everyday-cookery
Thank you so much for watching and for supporting my channel.
There were many amazing-sounding recipes that I didn't get to make during this week. Here are some from Mrs. Beeton's Everyday Cookery that stood out to me:
Baked yams pg. 727 Tomato and lentil stew pg. 673 Vegetable salad mixed pg. 707 Water souchet pg. 717 White soup pg. 721 Winter soup pg. 726 Winter salad pg. 725 Succotash pg. 656 Squab pie pg. 652 Spinach and egg salad pg. 649 Soles with mushrooms pg. 646 Snow cake pg. 643 Shrimp salad pg. 640 Shrimps curried pg. 641 Scallops and mushrooms pg. 629 Sardine and tomato sandwiches pg. 624 Roman salad pg. 612 Rice soup pg. 609 Potato omelet pg. 573 Parkin pg. 533 Oysters on toast. Pg. 531 Mutton and potato pie pg. 403 Mushroom ketchup pg. 488 Mush pg. 487 Milk soup pg. 482 Savoury meat toast pg. 478 Smoke mackerel pg. 469 Macaroni pudding pg. 466 Liver and lemon sauce pg. 455 Lettuce soup pg. 453 Lentil porridge pg. 452 Leeks with poached eggs pg. 446 Lamb cutlets with cucumber pg. 437 Kidney toast pg. 433 Kaiser pudding pg. 430 Hotch potch pg. 419 Haddock soup pg. 402 Gruel oatmeal and barley pg. 400 Ground rice blancmange pg. 399 Green pea and bean salad pg. 397 Gravy pg. 394 Geneva pudding pg. 381 Flemish soup pg. 369 Eggs with mushrooms pg. 354 Endive salad pg. 355 Egg sandwiches pg. 347 Egg soup pg. 347 Danish pudding pg. 333 Cucumber with parsley sauce pg. 321 Curried cod pg. 298 Cock-a-leekie soup pg. 295 Chicken salad pg. 280 Carrot soup with rice pg. 251 Carrots and turnips pg. 251 Carrot and lentil soup pg. 249 Cabbage soup pg. 233 Bubble and squeak pg. 228 Brussel sprouts soup pg. 228 Brown vegetable soup pg. 227 Benevolent soup pg. 206 Beef sandwiches pg. 197 Bananas fried pg. 177 Baked soup pg. 174 Apricots and rice pg. 162 Apple fool pg. 152 Anchovy and egg sandwiches pg. 146
All music is licenced from Artlist: SPEARFISHER - Delta Moan Borrtex - The Sky Above Kyle Preston - Where Nothing Is Forgotten Aija Alsina - MindfulnessI Made Victorian Spinach Ice CreamV. Birchwood2024-11-08 | Thank you to Craftsy for sponsoring this video! The first 1,000 people to click the link will get a full year of Premium membership to Craftsy for only $1.49: go.craftsy.com/vasibirchwood
It turns out the Victorians had quite the thing for ice cream, including quite some weird and unusual ice cream flavours. In this episode of a brand-new series, I try making and eating Victorian spinach ice cream to see if it's worth the effort.
-A New Film by Yehezkel Raz -Once Loved by Max H. -Once Upon a Time by Maya Belsitzman & Matan Ephrat -Remember When by The David Roy Collective -Flower Duet Lakmé by Hawkins
#ancienthistoryI Ate Only Ancient Greek Food for a WeekV. Birchwood2024-10-11 | This video is kindly sponsored by Pocket Styler! To download Pocket Styler for free straight to your phone visit: https://nrdc.link/V-Birchwood
The adventurer embarks on yet another historical meal journey, this time spending a week in a world where it is exactly like this one, except everyone wears ancient Greek clothing and eats ancient Greek food.
Find out how she’ll fair after the whirling and twirling from the Thyme Machine and the breaking of the Thyme-Space continuum.
#ancientgreeceI Tried Ancient Roman Menstruation UnderwearV. Birchwood2024-09-14 | AD This video was sponsored by June’s Journey. Download June’s Journey for free now: cherrypick.gg/VBirchwood
The further back in history we go, the less evidence there is for what was used during menstruation. During one of my amateur research rabbit holes, I came across an intriguing ancient Roman undergarment, the subligaculum. This led me to suspect that perhaps this garment may have been worn during menstruation, effectively making it the equivalent of modern-day period underwear.
I decided to make my own subligaculum and try wearing it for one of the heaviest days of my menstruation to see whether or not it works for the task at hand.
All music in this video is from Artlist: Breathe Out - 33rpm Yehezkel Raz Home - Onyx Music Five to One - Steve Poloni Arise - Onyx Music Emerald - Yehezkel Raz Before You Left - Yehezkel Raz Ballerina - Yehezkel Raz Nordic Noir - Evert Z Going out and Coming Home - Tamir D. Klein Once Loved - Max H. It Might Take a While - Evert Z Caught by the Wild Wild Wind - The SoundKeeperHow to Wrap Your Hair Like an Ancient Greek GoddessV. Birchwood2024-08-30 | I've gotten so many requests to show how I wrap my hair to accompany my ancient Greek clothing! This hair wrapping style is incredibly versatile and works for a plethora of historical periods, including ancient Greek fashion, Medieval fashion, Viking fashion, and more. Additionally, it can be accomplished with a strip of scrap fabric from a sewing project.
Music featured in this video is from Artlist: Max H. - Back Home Ardie Son - Folklore Yehezkel Raz - BallerinaI Wore Ancient Greek Clothing for 30 DaysV. Birchwood2024-08-18 | I wore ancient Greek clothing for an entire month! I wear historical fashion every day, but usually, I don't stick to one era for an entire month (or have never made any rules around doing so). In the heat of the summer, I thought it would be a fun experiment. Here are the results!
My friend Alex on Instagram featured at the end of the video: instagram.com/steampoweredromanticMy 4th Year Sewing ❤️ What Sewing Slower Taught MeV. Birchwood2024-08-02 | August 2024 marks my 4 year sewing anniversary! I wanted to take a moment to reflect on lessons I learned throughout this year and my approach to historical hand sewing, as well as showing you all the historical clothing I finished making this year.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support of my art and my channel!
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/475107I Ate Only Viking Food for a WeekV. Birchwood2024-06-21 | The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare https://skl.sh/vbirchwood06241 Thanks so much to Skillshare for sponsoring this video!
The historical food week series continues... this time exploring the Viking Age. In this video, I eat only Viking food for a week!
https://old-icelandic.vercel.app/word/haustHow I Survive Summer Wearing Only Historical ClothingV. Birchwood2024-05-24 | I've shown you all how I survive winter wearing historical fashion, but how about summer?
In this video, I walk you through the actual layers and types of outfits that I wear during the hottest months of the year as a daily wearer of historical fashion, as well as give some tips for what to focus on clothing-wise to make it through the higher temps. Also, please don't forget to stay properly hydrated and use SPF :)
A big thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this video.
I decided to experiment with wearing modern fashion for an entire week! I've been wearing historical fashion every day for quite a while now, so wearing modern fashion feels very unfamiliar and strange to me. That's why I thought making this video would be the perfect opportunity to step a bit outside of my comfort zone.
Sources: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shoes_MET_DP156284.jpg Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons100 Days of Trying to Hand Sew Every DayV. Birchwood2024-05-03 | This video has been a long time in the making... I tried hand sewing every day for 100 days, and this was the result of the endeavor.
I learned a lot about myself and my relationship to my craft, all while navigating a lot of life challenges and changes over the course of 3+ months.
I've decided to make this historical makeover thing an ongoing series! In this episode, I give myself a Viking makeover, interviewing my friend and fashion historian @LiljaHusmo on what Viking fashion, hair, and makeup may have been like.
I start by hand sewing a dress from Herjolfsnes, and then finish the makeover with a braided hairdo and dark eyeliner look.
My links: 🕯 Support my art on Patreon - patreon.com/vbirchwood ✨ Leave a donation: ko-fi.com/vbirchwood 🌙 Books I read, supplies I use, gear I film with (affiliate links): amazon.com/shop/v.birchwood 🪡 Follow me on Instagram - instagram.com/vasibirchwood 📖 Business inquiries - sofie@helmtalentgroup.comIs Video Game Historical Fashion Accurate? (From a Daily Wearer of Historical Fashion)V. Birchwood2024-03-08 | Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Enter coupon code BIRCHWOOD for an extra 3 months free at https://surfshark.deals/birchwood
We're having a little fun this video by reviewing the historical accuracy of the historical fashion in some video games that are set in the past!
The games I cover are The Sims Medieval, Bioshock Infinite, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and Hellish Quart. Let me know if you'd like a part 2 at some point reviewing even more games.
A huge thanks to Babbel for sponsoring this video!
Often when people think about fashion, it is seen as more of this superficial, vanity-oriented topic, interest, or even profession but I think that is a very limited glimpse into what fashion really is. And the same is often thought about historical fashion, that it is just this fun, aesthetic-oriented hobby, unfortunately deemed unnecessary by some, when in reality historical fashion and fashion in general mean so much more to so many people. Not to mention the fact it can give us profoundly deep insights into various societies and cultural practices.
Over the past years wearing historical fashion every day, I have learned some surprising deeper things about life. And I want to talk about those realisations in this video.
I gave myself an Ancient Greek makeover! This video was so much fun to put together, from hand sewing the Ionic Greek Chiton to researching Ancient Greek hair and makeup to recreate a look, to accessorising the final ensemble. Thank you so much for watching and I hope you enjoyed watching the video as much as I enjoyed making it!
Clothing list: Victorian chemise - etsy.com/shop/LadyJanesClothing Corset - etsy.com/shop/theboudoirkey Bust padding - etsy.com/shop/theboudoirkey Rear padding - secondhand, can't remember the seller name unfortunately Cotton and wool stockings - darcyclothing.com/collections/womens-hosiery Combinations - etsy.com/shop/romlya Under petticoat - me made, self drafted Petticoat - Etsy seller closed their store Wrapper dress and belt - me made, using pattern Laughing Moon no. 118 Sontag - commisioned from a friend Icelandic sweater - made by a grandmother in Iceland years ago, reknit commisioned from a friend 1872 jacket - commisioned from a friend Travelling or winter hood - commisioned from a friend Red cloak - can't rememeber the shop unfortunately Шәл (şäl) - secondhand Камчат бурек (kamçat burek) - me made, self-drafted Leather gloves - secondhand Muff - secondhand/vintage 18th century shift - got it off of Etsy years ago so unfortunately can't remember the shop Ыштан (ıştan) - me made, self-drafted Wool trousers - secondhand Kүлмәк (külmäk) - me made, self drafted Wool arm warmers - me made, crocheted using a pattern many years ago (can't remember the pattern sadly) Outer coat - 1940s vintage
Sources: -M. Zavyalova, 'Tatar Milli Kieme' [Tatar Costume], Kazan', 1996 Guzel Valeeva-Suleimanova, 'The Decorative Applied Art of the Kazan' Tatars', Moscow, 1990. -Суслова С. В. 'Татарский костюм: историко-этнологическое исследование', Казань, 2018. -groznijat.tripod.com/fadlan/rorlich1.html -http://folkcostume.blogspot.com/2011/05/traditional-costume-of-tatarstan.htmlI Ate Only Medieval Food for a WeekV. Birchwood2023-12-29 | I ate only medieval food for a week and it was... interesting. Join us on an adventure as my friend Brittany and I explore the world of medieval food, committing an entire 7 days to indulging in it. Let's just say that there were many unexpected moments and some dishes that truly surprised us (both delicious and not).
Thank you so much for watching and see you all in two weeks for another video!
#medieval500 Years of Korean Fashion ft. Dr. Minjee KimV. Birchwood2023-12-15 | The "500 Years of..." series continues! In this episode, I interview Dr. Minjee Kim, a historian and lecturer specialising in the dress, fashion, and textile history of Korea. She takes us through a glimpse into 500 years of Korean historical fashion, describing how styles and attitudes changed throughout the centuries.
#koreanfashion #koreanhistory #historicalfashionWhy I Started Wearing Historical Fashion Daily & Answering Your Other Questions! (Q&A)V. Birchwood2023-11-17 | At long last, a Q&A! In this video, I talk about why I started wearing historical fashion daily, the chronology of where I've lived, what I do for work, what my practice of Buddhism looks like, how I stay present in life whilst also filming life, and so much more. I was really craving something a little more relaxed this week, so this was the perfect option. Thanks so much for submitting your questions and for watching!
If you are a filmmaker looking for a video colourist on your next project, feel free to send me an email: birchwoodcolour@gmail.com (This section will all make sense if you've watched the entire video 😅)
My very first kirtle!!! I'm so excited to share this project with you all. I feel like I've opened up an entirely new realm of possibilities now that I took the plunge into medieval kirtle world.
What eras would you like to see me sew and wear next?
Some of my favourite mental health-related books, podcasts, videos (not affiliated):
Podcasts & Videos: -Gathering Gold podcast with Sheryl Lisa Finn -Holistic Life Navigation podcast with Luis Mojica -Therapist Uncensored podcast with Sue Marriott, LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley, PhD -@heidipriebe1 on YouTube (for videos on attachment theory)
Books: -The Wisdom of Anxiety by Sheryl Lisa Finn (née Paul) -Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S. F. Helle -The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. -Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson -The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron
I am not a doctor and none of this is medical advice. If you are in emotional distress, please contact your doctor, emergency services, or 988lifeline.orgWhy You Should Wear Your Nicest Clothes (If You Want To)V. Birchwood2023-09-29 | Choosing to wear your nicest clothes every day (if you want to) can feel like a scary decision, but these are the reasons why doing so has played into an even bigger shift in my life.
Wearing my nicest clothing, and by nicest I mean the clothing that is the most meaningful and significant to me, has taught me endless lessons about living in the present moment, connecting with that which we love now and today, and also letting things go when it is their time to go.
Thank you so much for watching and I'll see you all in 2 weeks for another video!
In this video, I embark on the journey of sewing my great-great grandma's underwear... Let me explain. I'm a Volga Tatar, and these are the traditional Volga Tatar undergarments that my great great-great-grandmother would have worn. I've been heavily researching Volga Tatar historical fashion, even though a lot of information is very challenging to find, and I thought it was time, now that I recently finished sewing a Volga Tatar historical dress, to also sewing some matching historical underwear.
Thanks so much for watching and I'll see you in two weeks for another video!
Further reading: -M. Zavyalova, 'Tatar Milli Kieme' [Tatar Costume], Kazan', 1996 Guzel Valeeva-Suleimanova, 'The Decorative Applied Art of the Kazan' Tatars', Moscow, 1990. -Суслова С. В. 'Татарский костюм: историко-этнологическое исследование', Казань, 2018. -groznijat.tripod.com/fadlan/rorlich1.html -http://folkcostume.blogspot.com/2011/05/traditional-costume-of-tatarstan.htmlWhat 625 Hours of Hand Stitching Created: Everything I Made in My Third Year SewingV. Birchwood2023-09-01 | It's that time of year again, where I share everything (well most things) I made during my third year sewing! August 2023 was my 3-year sewing anniversary and probably my proudest year of creations yet.
Like always, everything is 100% hand stitched, and all within the realm of historical fashion. I also mention the approximate hours it took for each ensemble to serve as a reminder of how labour-intensive sewing can be (and to pay homage to all dressmakers of the past and present).
This year I gained a lot more confidence in my ability to sew clothing even without a pattern or no instructions. I also dove into sewing some of my ancestral Volga Tatar clothing.
Thank you so much for being a part of this journey. Can you believe my channel is over 2.5 years old now?!
A big thanks to @LizGrylls for helping me with the pattern for the working-class bed gown.
Sources: M. Zavyalova, 'Tatar Milli Kieme' [Tatar Costume], Kazan', 1996 Guzel Valeeva-Suleimanova, 'The Decorative Applied Art of the Kazan' Tatars', Moscow, 1990.
Суслова С. В. 'Татарский костюм: историко-этнологическое исследование', Казань, 2018.
#historicalfashion #historicalsewing #handsewingWhy I Stopped Wearing a Corset Every DayV. Birchwood2023-08-18 | Earlier this year, I stopped wearing a corset every day. But the reason why might not be what you think. In this video, I get honest about some of the things I've been navigating in my own life with regards to my creative expression through clothing and also the deeper themes that have been coming up for me.
I feel that, although this is a change, it's a beautiful (and most of all more authentic) one, because now there are endless possibilities in the realm of historical fashion and I'm looking forward to showing you all what I have brewing content and sewing-wise.
Thank you very much for listening, and watching, and I'll see you in two weeks for another video.
#historicalfashion #corsetSinging a 17th Century Scottish Song and Playing HarmoniumV. Birchwood2023-08-04 | I’ve been pretty tired this past couple of weeks, so here's an impromptu performance of the historical song "The Lowlands of Holland" played on the harmonium with singing.
No fancy editing, no fancy mics, just one take of practicing this song which I learned a day prior to recording. Enjoy!
Contrary to common misconception, the Victorians DID wear makeup. In this video, I interview historian Laura Fitzachary, who specialises in makeup and cosmetics history, in addition to other specialisations, about the truth behind Victorian makeup and cosmetic practices. She also runs through a typical Victorian makeup routine, and I try it out to demonstrate how it ends up looking for you all!
Sources: makeupmuseum.com Godey’s Lady’s Book La Belle Assemblée (up to 1837) The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum (1837-47) The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness" (1872). Sylvia's Book of the Toilet" (1881) Sozinskey. T. S. (1877). Personal Appearance and the Culture of Beauty. Allen, Lane & Scott. ‘The Arts of Beauty’: Female Appearance in 19th century British Library Newspapers, Dr. Michelle J. Smith
In this video, I get very excited over historical words and Romantic Era literature, big passions of mine! There are so many beautiful words used historically that we don't use anymore, but I really think they could add something wonderful to contemporary vernacular.
Would you like to see more videos about historical poetry and the Romantics in the future?
Oxford English Dictionary Norton Anthology English Literature: The Romantic Period
Poems Referenced:
Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats To a Sky-Lark by Percy Shelley Mutability by Percy Shelley Thoughts on My Sick-Bed by Dorothy Wordsworth From Book Eleventh by William Wordsworth From Book Thirteenth by William Wordsworth La Belle Dame sans Merci by John Keats The Fairy Fountain by Letitia Elizabeth Landon Homer’s Hymn to Minerva by Percy Shelley A Spirit’s Return by Felicia Dorothea Hemans The Eiolan Harp by Samuel ColeridgeWhat Irish Working Women Wore in the Late 19th Century | I Made the Clothing of My Irish AncestorsV. Birchwood2023-06-23 | This video has been 6 months in the making, but at last, I show the process of sewing a late 1800s Irish working women's clothing. In part 1 of this series. I took a DNA test to find out about my adopted father's ancestry, as one of my goals is to make historical clothing I can wear day to day from each of my ancestral origins. My father's side has always remained a mystery, but the test revealed that his father was Irish/Scottish, and his mother was most likely Ukrainian.
If you'd like to watch part 1 of the series, here's a link: youtu.be/1Ri2ZM3HMeI
Irish fashion in general, especially working class fashion, has very limited information, so I felt this was an incredibly important project on many levels.
If you'd like to purchase the working class fashion book I mention, "Making Working Women's Costume" by Elizabeth Friendship, here is an Amazon affiliate link to do so (and I get a small commission!) Thanks! amazon.com/shop/v.birchwood
A big thanks to @Vintagebursche for filming the reveal at the end of the video. Go and check out his channel, it's great.
#IrishFashion #HistoricalFashion #IrishHistorySewing Like THIS Changed My LifeV. Birchwood2023-06-02 | I've been experimenting with cinematography lately, one of my greatest passions in life. This is the result of the creative inspiration I felt this week. I hope you enjoy watching this short film as much as I enjoyed making it.
Hand sewing, in and of itself, can be an incredibly meditative act, but sewing like this changed my life.
Sources: Film Frames: sf-visuals.com/shop/p/filmframes Animated Arrow: https://www.meinvideostudio.de/download/free-animated-arrows-davinci-resolve/
#HandSewing #HistoricalSewing #SewingWhat Victorians Wore to BedV. Birchwood2023-05-05 | Brooklinen is having their Birthday Sale right now through May 8th where you can get 25% off Brooklinen products with my link here: bit.ly/BIRCHWOOD_BrooklinenMay23 After May 8th, you can use my code BIRCHWOOD to get $20 off any order over $100.
Thank you Brooklinen for sponsoring this video!
We know what upper and middle-class Victorians in particular wore during the day and evening, but seldom is it discussed what historical fashion Victorians wore to bed.
In this video, I walk you through some of the nighttime clothing practices of primarily middle and upper-class Victorians, as well as show a very special item from my antique clothing collection, a wedding nightgown from about 1875.
#HistoricalFashion #VictorianFashionDrape a CUSTOM FIT Victorian Bodice Block ft. @LiljaHusmo (Easier Than It Seems!)V. Birchwood2023-04-23 | In this video, the amazing @LiljaHusmo teaches us how to drape a Victorian bodice block, so you and a friend can make a custom-fit Victorian bodice block to utilise for your historical ensembles!
The entire process of draping a historical bodice block is covered, including how to drape sleeves which is often a part that gets left out.
Being able to fit historical fashion patterns, in particular mid-Victorian, can be quite complex, and this method is meant to serve as a guide to get you started on a well-fit pattern that you can then make a mock-up of and adjust subtly as needed before making a Victorian bodice or the bodice portion of a Victorian dress.
A big thanks to Lilja Husmo for doing this demonstration! Be sure to go and follow her YouTube channel as she makes amazing videos. A big thanks as well to Sandy for helping with the filming!
#Draping #HistoricalFashionThe Problem with Modern FashionV. Birchwood2023-04-07 | Just a heads up, I open up about my struggles with body image and self-worth in the past in this video.
My problem with modern fashion isn't the fashion in and of itself, it's actually the way the commercial modern fashion industry is run. I feel it lacks compassion, from mistreating garment workers to polluting our beauty planet with immense amounts of waste, and even to calling people "consumers."
There are so many major challenges with the modern fashion industry as it stands, and in this video, I open up about my own experiences with how media and fashion has influenced my self-worth and body image. I also share a practice that helps me feel more connected to myself, to my clothing, and to the people who made the garments I'm wearing.
At some point in my life, I decided to reject the modern beauty standards altogether. Wearing historical fashion as everyday clothing is one of the ways, and finding clothing practices that I could connect deeper with. My individual fashion choices, in addition to my amazing therapist, have allowed me to feel more accepting of my own body, greatly boosting the way I view myself and even the world around me.
As I was about to record this video and had already scripted it, Karolina Żebrowska released an amazing video on a similar topic, so I highly recommend watching it for another perspective: youtu.be/cpdxKp8nDfc
My intention with making this video is to encourage you to find ways to become more connected with your clothing, regardless of whether it's historical, vintage, or modern (or whatever else), and to become curious about what your clothing means to you and how it really makes you feel.
Thank you so much for watching, and I'll see you all in two weeks for another video!
Thank you so much to History Hit for sponsoring this video!
In this episode, I interview textile and lace historian Elena Kanagy-Loux, on 500 Years of Lace History, an incredibly exciting and fascinating topic! Elena moves from the 1400s until the 1900s, explaining how lace and lacemaking have evolved and developed throughout the world during those time frames. It was such a pleasure to facilitate this conversation, and I learned so much from listening to Elena and her incredible knowledge about historical fashion and lacemaking.
#500Yearsof #Lace #HistoricalFashion3 Easy Victorian Hairstyles for Daily Wear (Tutorial)V. Birchwood2023-03-10 | The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/vbirchwood03231
In this video, I demonstrate how I do my three most worn every day Victorian hairstyles.
The first one is a simple mid Victorian hairstyle, a braided bun with an option to either place the hair over the ears or behind the ears.
The second look is one of my favourite historical hairstyles, a mid Victorian updo that features braided pieces at the front that then drape into a braided bun in the back.
The final look is a braided crown, which you saw throughout the Renaissance Revival period (1880s hairstyle).
I do not consider myself someone that is good at doing hair, but with quite a lot of practice, I've managed to complete these looks and get results I'm happy with.
#HistoricalHair #HistoricalFashion #SkillshareThe Life of a Hanbok Maker ft. @Cheon-Shik_Yang | Korean Historical FashionV. Birchwood2023-03-03 | In this episode, I welcome @Cheon-Shik_Yang, a hanbok maker and daily wearer of hanbok (Korean historical fashion.) I have been an admirer of Cheon-Shik's amazing work for a while now, so it was an incredible experience to get to speak with him about what wearing hanbok means and the way he embraces his ancestors and culture.
#HistoricalFashion #KoreanFashion #HanbokBizarre Antique Jewellery from My Personal Collection & MuseumsV. Birchwood2023-02-03 | The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1-month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/vbirchwood02231
Thanks so much to Skillshare for sponsoring this video!
In this video, we explore some weird (and wonderful) antique jewelry! Historical fashion constantly surprises me, and even though I've covered bizarre Victorian fashion in the past, I felt that this weird antique jewellery deserved its own designated video. A lot of the items are from my personal antique jewellery collection, while others are specimens I've found on museum websites. I hope you enjoy looking at these beautiful treasures that pair oh so nicely with historical clothing.
#Skillshare #AntiqueJewellery #HistoricalFashionI Tried Sleeping Like a Victorian for a WeekV. Birchwood2023-01-20 | I'm loving my Brooklinen sheets! You can get yours using my code BIRCHWOOD to get $20 off any order over $100. Link: bit.ly/Birchwood_BrooklinenJan23
In this video, I take on a week-long experiment. Since I already wear historical fashion, I thought it'd be fun to try sleeping like a Victorian for a week. Victorians (and many other people throughout earlier history) slept in two parts – known as biphasic sleep. In fact, sleeping monophasically is actually a relatively new construct. The week had its ups and downs, and I document the realistic journey of what it was like.
If you'd like to support me on Patreon and join in on all the fun, check out what I have to offer for each tier here: patreon.com/vbirchwood
🕯 Support my art on Patreon: patreon.com/vbirchwood ✨ Leave a donation: ko-fi.com/vbirchwood 🌙 Books I read, supplies I use, gear I film with (affiliate links): amazon.com/shop/v.birchwood 🪡 Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/vasibirchwood 📖 Business inquiries: sofie@helmtalentgroup.comSurprising Benefits of Wearing Historical Fashion Every DayV. Birchwood2023-01-06 | Jumpstart your 2023 goals now with this exclusive offer – try Skillshare free for 7 days and then get 20% off your first year! https://skl.sh/vbirchwoodhistoricalfashion720
I've been wearing historical fashion daily for a number of years now, and throughout this time, I've thought of a number of surprising benefits. These are all just my own opinions, and I consulted a couple of friends who also wear historical clothing, so your opinions might be different, and that's totally okay.
I hope you enjoy this little bit of a rant, and I'll see you all in 2 weeks with another historical fashion video.
#HistoricalFashion #HistoricalSewing #SkillshareI Used Tech to Colourise Antique Mystery Photographs #ShortsV. Birchwood2022-12-23 | Buy a DNA kit here: bit.ly/Birchwoodshort . Use the coupon code Birchwood for free shipping. As an added bonus, you can start a 30-day free trial of MyHeritage’s best subscription for family history research – and enjoy a 50% discount if you decide to continue it.
In this short, I use tech to colourise some antique mystery photographs I bought in a big lot last year. The historical fashion featured in the photographs is so wonderful to see!
#HistoricalFashion #OldPhotosI Found My Adopted Fathers Heritage... Can I Sew the Clothes? [Part 1]V. Birchwood2022-12-22 | Buy a DNA kit here: bit.ly/Birchwood_mh . Use the coupon code Birchwood for free shipping. As an added bonus, you can start a 30-day free trial of MyHeritage’s best subscription for family history research – and enjoy a 50% discount if you decide to continue it.
Come on a journey with me as I discover my adopted father's heritage, to learn even more about our ancestral past, so I can complete one of my goals in life – to sew historical fashion from each of my ancestral origins. This is part 1 of a 3-part series, which I will be continuing next year. Part 2, will be the sewing of one of the ancestral garments, and part 3 will be yet another ensemble from another ancestral origin.
Thank you so much for watching and happy holidays!
#HistoricalFashion #MyHeritage500 Years of Indian Fashion ft. Maayankraj Singh (Indian Historical Fashion)V. Birchwood2022-12-13 | Click here ritual.com/VBIRCHWOOD20 to get 20% off during your first month with Ritual. Thanks Ritual for partnering on this video.
In this episode of "500 Years of" I interview textile historian Maayankraj Singh on 500 years of Indian fashion! This was an incredibly exciting episode to film as Indian historical fashion is fascinating, and I learned so much by speaking with him. I'm so grateful to Maayankraj for taking the time to share his incredible wisdom and knowledge with us all, and I hope that this video can help to shine an accurate light on what Indian fashion has looked like throughout the centuries.
Thanks so much for watching and I'll see you all over the weekend for another video!
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
A big thanks again to Ritual for sponsoring this video!
#HistoricalFashion #IndianFashionWhy Ill (Probably) Never Sew a CorsetV. Birchwood2022-12-08 | A big thanks to Skillshare for sponsoring this video! The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/vbirchwood12221
Thank you so much for watching! This is just a little rant about why I will probably never sew a corset. I say "probably" because in life, you often never know what might happen.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing to sew a corset, including cost, experience, materials, and more, and I think it's perfectly okay to never want to sew a corset. In fact, for some individuals, it may be more feasible to set aside a little money each month and purchase a custom-fit option made by a professional. I discuss some factors to consider so you can make an informed decision on whether you'd like to jump into making corsetry yourself or if it would be more feasible for you to instead commission a professional. It's a very personal decision!
I'll be back on Sunday with another video, a much longer one. Thanks so much for watching, and I'll see you all then!
#corset #historicalfashion #skillshareReacting to Bizarre Victorian Fashion Items (Part 2)V. Birchwood2022-11-26 | And reacting to bizarre 19th-century historical fashion items continues! Get 4 months for free on a 2y plan here: https://NordVPN.com/vbirchwood and use code vbirchwood. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! A big thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this video.
You all enjoyed part 1 of reacting to bizarre Victorian fashion so much, and many of you asked for a part 2, that I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to release a follow-up video. Historical fashion continues to challenge our understanding of history, with so many weird and bizarre items appearing throughout my time researching antique garments and going through museum collections. These videos are always so much fun to film as a lot of the items can be quite comical too.
Please note: It has come to my attention that the use of the term "skin-coloured" to describe the buff gown in the video was a very harmful and poor choice of words on my part. I'm incredibly sorry for any hurt I may have caused and have educated myself on why that was a hurtful choice of words (and will continue to educate myself). I have removed that section of the video so that it will not continue to do harm and I will work to be even more mindful of my language and microaggressions in the future.
If you'd like to see even more bizarre historical fashion items, I regularly post my findings on my alternate Instagram page: instagram.com/bizarrehistoricalfashion
I'll be back next week with a very special video. Thanks so much for watching and see you all on Friday!
#historicalfashion #victorianera #NordVPNHow Historically Accurate Are Enola Holmes 2 Costumes? | Ft. @VintageburscheV. Birchwood2022-11-11 | AD This video was sponsored by June’s Journey. Download June’s Journey for free now: cherrypicktalent.cc/VBirchwoodJJ
Enola Holmes 2 was released this past weekend, and I decided to give the Victorian detective movie a watch in order to review how historically accurate the Enola Holmes 2 costumes are. A few things to note; the film isn't trying to be historically accurate, but it can still be fun to examine the looks and see how they may have been made more "period appropriate." I'm also not a fashion historian, but I am a daily wearer of historical fashion which means I have first-hand experience with historical clothing, so I'm approaching the costume review from this perspective. I hope you enjoy watching both @Vintagebursche and I go through some of the looks throughout the film.
Thank you so much for watching, and I'll see you in two weeks for another video.