Best Period Shows to Watch Now

So before Bridgerton became a hit, I was all up on PBS channel's Sanditon.  I love period movies and shows, especially the 1800's because I basically lived in Jane Austen's world as a teen (this is what happens when you have no friends to eat lunch with in high school and you are trying to read books to improve your vocabulary for SAT scores). So naturally, I had to watch these shows. I was literally blown away on how good Sanditon was with the plethora of scandalous plots and twists that kept me glued to the screen. I also love the old-time beach resort feel of the show and the classical-esque string music in the background. I was a huge fan! And I cannot wait till season two comes out March 20th, 2022! Save that date! 

Then a few months later, when Bridgerton came out on Netflix, I felt like that show was trying too hard to make it appear relevant to today's times. My favorite thing though from Bridgerton was actually how they used our current top hits music and turned it into 1800's classical sounds, which was pretty cool! Other than that, I thought the plots paled to the scandals of Sanditon. 

Right now, I am totally hooked on the The Gilded Age from HBO Max. Woah, this show nailed it on the costumes and set design....I literally feel like I'm watching a live version of the Victorian-esque paintings that I love so much from the likes of Jean Beraud, James Tissot, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Gustave Caillebotte, John Singer Sargent, etc. This show is definitely eye-candy if you like antique fashion and art. The plot so far is somewhat slow and boring and cliché, but I got to say, my favorite character is actually Ada Brook, portrayed by Cynthia Nixon. Wow oh wow, I cannot believe the sophisticated lady from Sex in the City, is the same actress playing this sweet, nice old aunt that we all wish we had. She totally looks and acts the part for that Victorian character! Someone please give her an award for this acting talent! 

Are you loving these shows? 

What other Victorian-esque shows should I watch?

Tissot's Floral Print

My infatuation with James Tissot's picturesque fashion in his paintings continues...

Clearly, he has a thing for this printed dress:

 The Captain's Daughter, 1873

 Richmond Bridge (Declaration of Love), 1878           The Elder Sister, 1881                 

Le Banc de jardin (The Garden Bench), 1883

L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Shirt size XXS review

 L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Shirt size Misses' XXS

Kennedy plaid ($39.95)

Background story: I've been obsessed with obtaining anything dark green with delicate red and yellow plaid design since I laid eyes on the James Tissot's The Warrior's Daughter painting awhile ago. I haven't found the perfect green tartan print (most have too much blue/navy in them), but these will suffice in the meantime.  

The L.L Bean Scotch plaid shirt came across my radar when I read Fast Food & Fast Fashion's review two or three months ago! I was excited as a puppy when I saw the deep green Kennedy plaid option, however almost all sizes were gone by the time I decided to purchase. I took a chance on the remaining size Misses (regular) XXS which was on backorder till January. So I finally received this shirt in the mail today and decided to do a review for anyone interested in the fit of size XXS. 

Measurement of size Misses XXS: 14" shoulder width (from seam to seam), 18" chest width (from pit to pit), 25.25" center back length, and 23" sleeve outerseam length. The regular XXS is a bit smaller and slimmer than Elle's review on size Petite XS of the Dress Stewart design. 

The Fit: I actually quite like the fit of this flannel shirt on me. I almost do not want to take this shirt off since it is so warm and cozy. I feel that this size XXS fits better than other flannel shirts I have tried in the past.

The Bad: the sleeves do look baggy, the material collects lint easily (typical of flannels though), the interfaced collar and sleeve cuff is a bit stiff, the shirt hem curls up a bit (maybe due to sloppy stitching), and the plaid print doesn't show well from far away (in photographs) as it does close-up...

Decision: I am keeping this shirt because I do love the quality, comfort, and overall fit. And it's pretty darn close to what I had in mind!

****Update 10/30/15**** 

I found an even better shirt at Uniqlo (on sale for $19.90 too).

Again, wish it had less blue, but the thin red and yellow lines are spot on to what I had in mind!

Actually, blogger Jean of Extra Petite has a Sole Society scarf that is a more perfect rendition of the Christmas-y plaid I had in mind. In fact her photo background (as seen here) even reminds me of James Tissot's The Warrior's Daughter painting with the black iron fences and dreary cold atmosphere. She must reads my fashion thoughts or living my dream world, haha! 

L.L. Bean also came out with a more Christmas-y plaid for winter 2015-16 called "Hunting MacLeod" but only available for men in flannel shirt, pajama set, and robe:

Holiday picks

I cannot believe it's November already! Ah, the holidays are approaching fast as my local mall spruces up for Santa's arrival....

They were chiseling and carving this holiday scene out of a huge mound of dirt/clay....pretty cool!

As for holiday fashion, I'm seeing lots of plaid, furs, black and gold, and I'm still wanting a red dress!

But a more practical clothing item I'm wishing for is a Tartan or Scotch Plaid shirt...inspired by another James Tissot painting:

The Warrior's Daughter (c.1878)

James Tissot

I'm an old soul and love Victorian paintings. One of my favorite artist of the era is James Tissot. I'm currently reading more about him from this book: James Tissot Victorian Life/Modern Love

This book has amazing prints of his paintings. I'm in awe of the fashion he illuminated in his artwork. And there's a theme going on here that I'm hooked on!

Holyday, c.1877

The Widower, 1877

 The Thames, c.1876

The Last Evening, 1873

The Captain's Daughter, 1873

Did you guess what got me? It's the buffalo-check print! Who would have thought the checkered pattern was popular since back then! Makes me wonder who invented the buffalo plaid/check and how long ago? It's always exciting to discover fashion that stands the test of time. I've been wanting something checkered ever since Khatu posted her amazingly versatile red Forever21 checkered shirt. I was thinking of purchasing that exact shirt, but based on the sizing available online, I think it might be too big on me. Thus, I searched around for other similar items:
 

Ralph Lauren Faron Shawl Cardigans (Girls) - sale $31.99

 

Ralph Lauren Buffalo Check Ruffle Scarf - sale $19.99

ASOS Brush Check Scarf - sale $14.32

I haven't decided which items to order yet. 

What are your picks? Do you love buffalo check?