18th century fashion
33 Variations takes place in dual time periods of Present Day and 1819-1823 within the Regency Era particularly of Great Britain. Even though the location of 33 Variations is Germany, the cultural influence of clothing style and fashion from Great Britain spread throughout France, Germany and the region. A time of great war and conflict, including the French Revolutionary war, it was also a time of great cultural and social change, focusing on fine arts and architecture, with elegance and decorum. Periwigs and face powder were left behind, giving way to more personal expression of self within societal norms with focus on form and flattery. Women’s fashion reverted to classical ideas, abandoning laced corsets for the empire waist, lower necklines with flowing fabrics. There are no Regency Era women in 33 Variations, only men.
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Men’s fashion reflected long lean lines in layers of proper attire in specific order and for specific occasion. Double breasted Frocks, Cutaway jackets, waist coats a must at all times, higher collared shirt with perhaps a ruffled sleeve, slipper shoes and tops hats with 5 to 7 inch crowns were worn.
High collars with ribbon ties tied in specific ways – it has been said a gentleman would spend up to an hour of his time achieving the proper look of his neck wear.
Knee pants were left for the military and youth, giving way to the stirrup pant for the gentleman.
The three male characters in 33 Variations are real life people. The costumer must be historically accurate in particular when depicting actual people. Studying all available depictions of historical figures is critical.
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While we have no known photographs of Beethoven or Diabelli, although there is an abundance of artwork of the two men. However, we do have an early photograph of an older Schindler. Note he is wearing a high collar, neck cloth tie, double breasted frock coat, and holding handkerchief.
The most known portrait of Beethoven shows his hair full (if not a bit wild for the time), full face with the signature red neck cloth, or ribbon tie.
While Beethoven was stylish when in public and performing his works, his focus was on his work abandoning style for comfort to accomplish and finish his music while in private settings.
The Regency Style fashions are best illustrated by Schindler and Diabelli. Both actors handsomely wear the long lean lines of the day’s fashion, in character paying attention to detail and proper etiquette. Schindler, a bit more modest than his counterpart Diabelli.