Wednesday, September 21, 2011

1880's Bustle Dress











From the seller:

Fresh from the family estate of its relatives is this silk ensemble. Originally Great Grandma Addie was married in this dress on November 28th, 1883 Denver Colorado.

Believed to have once been all red it is now like a tye dye. Truely I've not seen this happen to a garment before now. But still is quit appealing in its current colors, especially because the fabric has a built in plad print. In 1999 the skirt made an appearance on a gold rush lady that locals called Mackie. At the age of 103 she wore it to a local event. More than likely this is when I believe the skirt waist band was added on to in order to make it the current size of 29".

Sporting a dry cleaning tag, this beauty may need a little steaming and it will display wonderfully. Both the bodice and the skirt are lined in brown polished cotton. All buttons are present on the bodice. Skirt back button is not believed to be original. Some period mends and thread reinforcements to edges of pleats in the front from waistband down about. Mends in this area still needed but necessary for show. A stain or two but nothing alarming or that would show on camera.

This is a very small dress. It is being modeled on a size 0 dress form that sports a 20" waist and a 31" chest. Bodice itself measures 13" in the shoulders, 31" in the chest, and 22" in the waist.

Love Love Love the condition of this piece of history. Yes, the color is now altered, yes it has a few mends, yes the fabric is light weight but strong, and yes its could be a keeper.


From me:

I think a little steaming was what caused the color to run in the first place. However, this dress is still awesome in terms of it's construction.

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