Chapter 22
Chapter 22
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Reviving the Empire Silhouette
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As time marches on, pining for "the good old days" has become almost an instinct for humanity. Every so often, people pop up decrying how rotten modern society is and clamoring for a return to the past.
Renaissance humanists or Neoclassicists who constantly dragged ancient Greece and Rome out of the grave as shining examples are prime cases in point—European artists forever wailing about how things were better back then.
Why am I suddenly bringing this up? Because even in dress culture, there was once a craze insisting that old styles were superior.
In the 18th century, after physically excavating an ancient Roman city buried by a volcano, interest spiked in Greco-Roman culture for various reasons. This led to brief reinterpretations of ancient Greek and Roman clothing styles.
Then, toward the late 18th century, as France's push to turn their king into a pumpkin fused with an anti-luxury mood, the Empire silhouette dress was born.
Influenced by the romantic era where a single sheet of fabric draped the body without petticoats or undergarments, the Empire silhouette stood apart from the era's complicated, ornate dresses.
For a striking example, consider using pure white fabric for the dress itself, minimizing trims and decorations.
The skirt flows loosely like it's dancing on the breeze, but without a corset or petticoat to shape it, the body's contours are laid bare.
A belt or ribbon cinches just below the bust to secure the gown.
Short sleeves leave arms and shoulders fully exposed, and so on.
Eh... roughly speaking, you could call it a chemise.
Thinking of Marie Antoinette's chemise as one of its influences, the shapes are hard to distinguish.
Trying to differentiate them is like debating swimsuits versus underwear.
So how do you tell them apart?
You wear the Empire silhouette dress over a chemise.
Like a tank top over underwear.
That's why it's not taboo to wear outside like a chemise, nor is showing it off shameful.
It's casual wear—unsuitable for formal occasions if you follow that rule, but otherwise A-OK.
As long as you keep your mouth shut, there's no issue.
Conveniently, this world has something you could call an ancient empire, complete with romantic garments akin to chitons—a single cloth draping the body.
The reason for loose skirts without corsets or petticoats? "Pregnant women" covers it.
Pure white fabric? To bless the health and purity of mother and child.
For exposed curves, bust, or arms due to the style, thicken the fabric and pair with a covering jacket—bam, excuses ready.
A fantastic plan.
Thinking it would fly as-is, I confidently spilled it to Emily.
"That's what I'm thinking of making. What do you think?"
"Hmm... couldn't we change the color at least?"
"White looks so pure and fresh... pretty, right?"
"Won't it look too much like a chemise?"
Not exactly a smashing success.
Emily's reaction to my grand vision? Just underwear.
Figuring she'd pictured a chemise in her head, I quickly sketched it out to show her.
"It's like this. Really a chemise? Looks different now, doesn't it?"
"What's different? If that's not a chemise, what is?"
"Even with this jacket layered on?"
"That just looks like a chemise with a shawl."
"Damn..."
I only reinforced the chemise vibe.
"Urgh..."
Despair.
I groaned and tugged lightly at my hair.
"How can we make it not look like underwear?"
"I keep saying, change the color at least. Pastels—bright, fresh ones like sky blue, pink, yellow."
"But white..."
"Young Master, this isn't for your fiancée. No need to be stubborn. Remember, it's a gift for Viscountess Hume."
"......."
Emily's brutal facts shut my mouth; I averted my eyes.
"Tch..."
I smacked my lips and stared at the sketch.
Pale sky blue... fresh and lively... should suit my barely twenty-year-old sister-in-law nicely...
"Alright... sky blue it is, and add some frills? That should work."
I crossed out "white" twice and wrote "sky blue" above it.
Then I roughly sketched frills on the neckline, shoulders, and hem, glancing at Emily.
"Hmm... shouldn't we cover the bust more? Cold is dangerous for pregnant women."
"Right."
I layered fabric over the bust and checked the overall look again.
Closer to later, slightly fancier versions than the initial plain design, but still firmly Empire silhouette.
"How's this look?"
"Way less risqué now. Kinda childish, though."
"Eh... that'll do."
We're on the right track.
I turned to Emily, gauging her mood before cautiously speaking.
"Um... Emily."
"Yes."
"Sorry, but we need new fabric..."
"......"
Emily's eyes flicked to the basket of pristine white fabric by the desk.
"Sky blue..."
"Ugh..."
Emily wrinkled her nose and sighed deeply.
Not my whim this time, but her suggestion, so she made a pouty face, squatted, and hugged the fabric basket.
Six days later.
Three days before my sister-in-law arrives, the dress was complete.
Just check the fit and tweak measurements.
I lifted the dress with its finished seams and looked at Emily.
"Emily, try it on."
"Pardon? Me again? Isn't this for Viscountess Hume? Why me?"
"It's meant to be loose. If you don't feel cramped, it'll fit anyone."
I'd never seen anyone bigger than Emily in my life.
Even accounting for corsets.
Base it on her, and it won't be too small for anyone.
My sister-in-law has some curves too, so this should feel roomy.
"Haa~"
Emily sighed heavily, hand on her forehead.
Half-resigned, she stared at me, then extended her hand.
"How do I put it on?"
"Slip it over your undergarments, then cinch the ribbons just below your bust."
"Simple. I'll try it and give my thoughts?"
"Showing would be great, but thoughts are fine."
"Haa~ Got it."
She sighed gustily, took the dress, spun on her heel, and headed to the changing room.
_
"Young Master."
A bit after Emily entered the changing room, the door opened and her voice called out.
"H-how was i... oh..."
I'd expected her in maid attire.
Instead, Emily emerged from the changing room in the sky-blue dress, stepping out hesitantly.
"How is it? Well-made?"
She pinched the hem with fingertips, lifted it slightly, and approached with a shy smile, light on her feet.
The sky-blue fabric felt crisp and fresh; thick enough not to sheer.
The high waistline below the bust made her legs look endless while accentuating her chest.
Her slender arms swayed gracefully with each step, the skirt fluttering like butterfly wings—utterly vibrant.
I'd regretted ditching white, but seeing her like this, sky blue was spot-on, just as Emily said.
"Ha-"
I exhaled in admiration, eyes sparkling as I gazed at her.
"It's gorgeous. Like a fairy."
A touch exaggerated? Fairy.
Tone it down: a fresh young bloom.
Everything I'd yearned for while eyeing other ladies' dresses was right here—my heart raced.
"Young Master, that's too much. A fairy? Pfft~"
My sincere praise sounded like teasing; she giggled, hand over her mouth.
That laugh added elegance, sharpening the fairy impression.
"Emily, want me to make you one?"
"Like I said last time, no chance to wear it."
"Ah... such a shame..."
"Can't be helped."
"Tsk..."
Regrettable.
Tempted to ask her to wear just that around me.
But then no maid outfit—pure agony.
If only there were two Emilys.
Why no cloning magic?
If magic's too hard, build an automaton.
World's greatest geniuses can't handle simple requests? Wizards, step up your game.
"Ha... so pretty... tsk... anywhere uncomfortable?"
Knowing she couldn't wear it after today only heightened its lingering beauty.
But I steeled myself and got to business.
"Shoulders feel like they might slip—otherwise fine."
"Yeah?"
Similar builds to my sister-in-law, so probably the same for her.
Precarious shoulders were a charm point, but if uncomfortable, it defeats the purpose.
I jotted fixes on paper and asked more.
"Nothing else?"
"Nope. Bust is comfy, waist super roomy."
"Good. Easy to walk in?"
"Yes, fits perfectly, no snags for me."
"Got it."
Emily's tall, so shorten the hem a bit.
Shoulders and hem—day's work.
"Mm! Thanks. You can change back no..."
As I started to say change back, I thought: until she does, why not keep it on?
Might spot new issues or ideas over time.
"No, wear it just for today..."
"I'll change."
Hng...