Betsy Patterson Bonaparte, “Queen of Recyle, Refresh, & Re-purpose”
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Betsy Patterson Bonaparte, Queen of Recycle,, Repair, Reuse
Betsy Patterson (Bonaparte) was known as one of the most beautiful women in America.
Betsy Patterson was born in the 1800’s, when women had no power except through the men they married.
She was the oldest surviving daughter of 13 children.
Her father was one of the wealthiest Baltimore businessmen who believed woman’s place was in the kitchen.
When she was 18 she met Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger brother, Jerome and after a brief whirlwind courtship they were married.
They set off for Paris but Napoleon had plans to marry off his brother to a European princess and he would not allow Betsy to enter Paris.
Napoleon threatened to cut off Jerome’s inheritance and Betsy never saw Jerome again. Betsy was already pregnant and gave birth to a son.
Napoleon eventually had the marriage annulled.
Betsy was one of the first American women to adopt the parisan Empire style with its body revealing lines.
- life size replica Betsy Patterson Bonaparte
American women had been wearing stiff dresses and bodices that hid their bodies and arms and legs. The Parisan style revealed arms, and breasts, and showed women’s hips and their leg movements.
Betsy was forced to be an independent woman after the betrayal by her husband. Then her father left her brothers all of his money.
Betsy was able to get a small allowance from Napoleon while he was in power. She invested wisely in real estate and eventually became very wealthy.
Betsy never remarried. She learned to pay her own bills and she kept meticulous accounts of her spending.
Because she was a thrifty, divorced woman who invested wisely, she was able to live an independent life, in a time when married women were not allowed to manage their own finances.
In order to stay up to date with fashion she often recycled, refreshed and re-purposed her dresses and shawls.
All her life Betsy yearned for a noble title. I have crowned Betsy, ” Queen of Recyle, Refresh and Re-purpose.”
Is there something in your wardrobe you can refresh or re-purpose?
Fashion Tip
If you have a stain on a favorite top, If the stain has not gone through to the wrong side, wear it inside out and layer a jacket or cardigan over it so no one knows it’s inside out.
For the next year (until June 2015) The Betsy Patterson Bonaparte exhibit can be seen at the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information about this independent, thrifty woman who was one of the first women of her time to lead an independent life see the Maryland Historical Society’s web site.
www.mdhs.org/betsy-bonaparte
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Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant.
I was trained in 1991 by Joanna Nicholson of Color 1 Associates, an International Image and Styling Company. I specialize in working with mid-life women whose size or shape has changed and who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear.
Say goodbye to those “Nothing to wear moments.”
e-mail to set up a complimentary 20 minute telephone session where you will discover your “Fashion Personality,” and receive a free “Wardrobe Needs,” assessment.
The Wardrobe Wizard is available to work with you “in-person,” if you live in Baltimore, Md. & surrounding areas or “on-line,” if you are long-distance.
Contact “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore”at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com or call 410-513-9496
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