Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Edwardian Copper Colored Dress








From the seller:

1900-1909 (1906 best guess) Antique Copper Brocade Dress SteamPunk Victorian

This is another item from the back of the general store in Chicago IL that was found new, old stock, after the store had been closed and saved by relatives. It has been worn to antique car shows in the 1950's and then stored.

The Brocade is a floral and is lovely, and a gorgeous redhead copper color. The brocade is soft and smooth to the touch. It is lined with a cream color silky fabric, looks satiny. Seems to be all hand sewn. You can see a variety of stitch work and many kinds of hooks and eyes and sewn snaps, a few need replacing. The Lady of this dress will need an assistant to do all of these snaps on the back!! The hem of the skirt is backed with wool! Please see photos.

There is a lovely drapery type cord which serves as a belt and as an ornament on the back.

The top is interesting, the first thing I noticed was a crinkly sound which frightened me. This sound was from the underarm pads, what an interesting idea.

The top is Chiffon and is thin and light, there is at least one hole on the back, shown in the photo. There is also a second cream colored gauze like fabric on the sleeves and the lace on the collar and inset are hanging in there, but are more fragile than the rest of the dress.

A pretty detail at the neck is a choker like trim which still has some rhinestones, some are missing.

Measurements: Length from shoulder to bottom of hem: 61"
Chest: 36" measured under arm seam
Waist : 28"
Hips: 48"
Hem circumfrance: 80"

All measurements were taken without stretching the garment, they are estimates in the sense that there is a lining and so many hooks that I am not sure how it lays on the body. The lady who wore it, was a healthy size, but slender woman of average height.

This would make a great dress for re-enactments, plays, or your special private collection.

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