From Peasant to Pageant

[Fanasty 240]

 

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The Palatial Pocketbook:

From peasant to pageant

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A pocketbook for courtiers and visitors of the imperial court

Written by Lady Charlotte of Rochefort

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Preamble: You have been cordially invited to the imperial palace  or to the court of trissingham.

But, what do you wear? How do you find that exact salon out of the oh-so many? Fred not!

This pocketbook shall introduce you to all the sophisticated rules and quirks!

From Peasant to Pageant!

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♛THE IMPERIAL PALACE

 First and foremost you must find your way in the extravagant halls of the palace.

It is without a doubt that you shall get lost!

therefore, I have made a small map for you so you can easily guide your way through!

(Note: these are my names for these chambers and halls, not official terms!)

FIRST FLOOR:

[Yellow: Formal throne room & informal throne room] [Gray/Blue-ish: Halls]

[Peach: Ballroom & State banquet hall] [Orange: Salons]

[Light blue: Library] [Dark green: Servant quarters] [Gray: Mourning room]

[Arrow: Staircases]  [Light green: Courtyard] [Dark blue: Offices/chambers] [/\: entrances]

SECOND FLOOR:

[Purple: Empress/Emperor suite] [Gray/Blue-ish: Halls] [Peach: Ballroom & Casino]

[Orange: Salons] [Arrow: Staircases] [Light green: Courtyard] 

[Darkblue:Offices/chambers]

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♛THE DRESS CODE

When visiting or living in the imperial palace, you are visiting or residing in the house of the imperial family.

One could only assume you’d put on your finest attire and wig! Though, is it the correct one?

No. There is never a correct gown, or frock coat unless the imperial family says it’s in!

But, to make your life a little easier let me give you some tips: It’s all about extravagance!

 

WOMEN

 As Vespira Antonia Helane wrote in her apodictic guide to the fairer sex: 

“Gone are the days of the archaic gamurra, Auvergnian hoods, and trumpet-sleeved gowns of yore.

Now, respectable ladies powder their hair, adorn themselves with exuberant hats and plumage,

paint their faces, and opt to outfit themselves in sack-back gowns and mantuas.”

(Tip: Read Vespira’s apodictic guide to the fairer sex or her guide to the makings of an enlightened man

for an elaborated guide on dress code and manners!)

 

ATTIRE:

-Wear an imperial court gown which consists of a bodice and a skirt. The bodice is constructed in an identical way of a corset.

During your stay or visit, you shall see various variations of this bodice, some daring, some modest and some encrusted with the largest diamonds!

The skirt consists of the overskirt which typically connects to the bodice and

is made of the same or similar material while the underskirt is used to express a ladies wealth! 

And to top it off, purchase yourself a pannier or some side hoops to enhance a strong silhouette!

(Tip: Visit the Helvets atelier in Providence established at carrington emporium 15!)

 

Now you must be thinking: I got the gown! Let’s begin my palatial adventure! Sorry to disappoint,

but we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet!

 

WIGS AND COIFFURE:

-I know I know, you see all these ladies wearing wigs and you probaly think you must wear one too! False! Your own hair does wonders.

( If augmented with fake hair, padding and wiring of course!)

do make sure to apply a pomade in there, or some powder! You can also use hot iron rods to create curls or waves!

There are many hairstyles you can choose from,

but I would recommend keeping it simple since you didn’t read this guide for no reason!

 

COSMETICS:

-A noble lady can use cosmetics to enhance her beauty.

This can be done through applying powder or pomade to your face in pale colors.

Rouge is used to enhance the redness of the cheek and you can also use this on your lips!

(Tip: Spent too much mina on that beautiful gown from the Helvets Atelier? Use beetroot as rouge! be careful though, the aristocrats shall likely spot it immediately!)

Now for the eyebrows it is recommended to make them darker, the best way is through using burnt cloves. Never apply too much makeup though!

Ladies at court wish to look at a face and not a painting, they already got plenty of those!

(Tip: Looking for fabulous accesories such as umbrella's or fans? Visit Red Rose Botique located on Carrington Emporium 14!)

 

MEN:

To once again quote Vespira Helane: “A frequent utterance amongst courtiers is: “one day you are in, one day you are out”,

and unlike many common sayings, this one actually rings true; Orenian court is infamous for its cut-throat nature,

and multiple court favorites have lost their coveted status due to a singular faux-pas.”

 

ATTIRE:

-To be a sophisticated gentleman in the palace, one is suggested to wear a frock coat, a waist coat and breeches.

These should complement each other in colour and pattern and you usually buy them in sets!

Wear bright colours, and use lace! Show off your wealth! ( if you have any left after purchasing this)

As most breeches do not extend past the knee, it is customary to wear stockings and low heeled leather shoes.

 

WIGS AND COIFFURE:

- If you are indeed a fine gentleman with proper hair, you can come to court without a wig! Lucky you!

Though, most men opt to wear a wig anyways, so it is always an option!

Men who are losing hair must always cover their head with either a wig or a hat.

(My personal favourite hat is the tricorn, but I shall leave that up to you!)

 

GROOMING:

-Admit it, sometimes you are lazy and you grow out your hair.

This is a true faux-pas in the imperial palace!

Never shall you be recommended to grow facial hair!

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♛THE ETIQUETTE

Now comes the hardest part, how do I behave?

Do I simply say hello, or do I kneel for them? Luckily for you, I have all the answers!

 

NOBLE STYLINGS:

 

THE EMPEROR/EMPRESS

In oration “His/Her imperial majesty”

In address “Your imperial majesty”

Informally “Your majesty”

 

THE IMPERIAL PRINCES/PRINCESSES 

In oration “His/Her imperial highness”

In address “Your imperial highness”

Informally “Your highness”

 

DUKE/DUCHESS

in oration: “His/Her grace”

in address: “Your grace”

informally: “Sir/Madam"

 

MARQUESS/MARCHIONESS

In oration: “The Most Honorable”

In address: “My lord/lady”

Informally: “Sir/Madam"

 

COUNT/COUNTESS

In oration: “The Right Honorable”

In Address: “My lord/lady”

Informally: “Sir/Madam”

 

VISCOUNT/VISCOUNTESS

In oration: “The Right Honorable”

In Address: “My lord/lady”

Informally: “Sir/Madam”

 

BARON/BARONESS

In oration: “The Right Honorable”

In Address: “My lord/lady”

Informally: “Sir/Madam”

 

MANNERS:

Now that you know how to address those of noble stock, it is time to learn how to act around them.

Ladies generally curtsy for ladies or lords who hold a higher title or position within court, and Lords generally bow.

Never show up too early to an event, it puts the host/hostess in an uncomfortable situation! Never forget to say “Please” and “Thank you”,

as courtiers should act with decorum at all times. As for introductions, I recommend asking the host if she could introduce you to someone!

It is seen as improper for a woman to introduce herself to a stranger. As for dining etiquette or a simple drink,

simply do not haste yourself and watch how your conversation partners behave and act,

that shall bring you a long way in the imperial palace!

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From peasant to pageant, 

Lady Charlotte Rosamund Helvets 

 

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[GoodGuyMatt 7113]

 

[Draeris 3124]

"Another excellent job well done, sweetheart."  Adrian would smile, about to pen a letter!

[Sorcerio 4712]

Tuvya Tuvyic snatches the letter quickly and keeps it in his pocket for future reference. 

[ncarr 2806]

"Ugh" Vespira d'Emyth takes the letter in hand, reading it with haste. As she concludes the letter she balls it up, throwing it in the corner. "I will not paint my face, nor will I wear a powdered rat's nest on my head." Although the letter includes many good points on etiquette, the girl is overwhelmed by the outrageous fashion demands.  "How dare someone tell me how to dress." she feminist rolls her eyes, pacing out of the room- leaving the balled up missive in the corner. 

[Marilyn Monroe 362]

Victoria Hildegarde de Sarkozy would sit in her dressing chamber, powdering her finest wig, garbing herself in expensive pink silks. Following this guide, she looked her best. 

[Anbennar 2351]

I regret looking at this forum post, back to Sutica.

[Fanasty 240]

4 minutes ago, PastaSurprise said:

I regret looking at this forum post, back to Sutica.

oh yess.. The land of .. .. .. 

I forgot their culture?  

 

[venclair 713]

A small Rhenyari girl scuttled off from an ever-persisting maid who insisted she wear a powdered wig, the child comically terrified to be donning such a thing. Though, she had appreciated such writing to be made and would use it as reference hereafter.

Meanwhile, however, a lone woman smiled faintly at Charlotte's work, roaming the immense palace in search for the woman to laud greatly.

[latte 2238]

"People who'a wear wigs have naturally bad hair, and men and'a women who paint their faces normally have terrible complexions," comments a tanned Illatian towards her daughters. "Be'a proud of your skin and heritage. Remember that."

 

@Bethinwonderland

@EmiliainWonderland