Thursday, December 22, 2011

Late Victorian Lace Dress







From the seller:
OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EMBROIDERED NET AND SILK TAFFETA WEDDING GOWN FROM THE 1890S. IT HAS THE CLASSIC "POUTER PIDGEON" STYLE BODICE. THIS STYLE WAS FULL AND LOOSE IN FRONT FROM THE BUST TO THE WAIST. SCOOP NECK ADORNED WITH DELICATE NETTING EDGED IN A RUFFLE.

THERE IS A PLEATED VELVET CUMBERBUND AT THE WAIST THAT HAS TWO ROSETTES AT THE BACK. THE SLIM FITTING A-LINE SKIRT WITH A SWEEP TRAIN IS A TIMELESS STYLE STILL POPULAR IN TODAY'S BRIDAL GOWNS. THE SILK TAFFETA UNDERSKIRT HAS ACCORDIAN PLEATING AROUND THE HEM EDGED WITH A RUFFLE.

THE GOWN WAS NEVER CLEANED AFTER BEING WORN AND IT HAS YELLOWED WITH AGE. THERE ALSO DIRT ON THE TRAIN AND YOU CAN TELL THIS POOR BRIDE PERSPIRED WHILE WEARING THIS GORGEOUS GOWN. I LIKE TO IMAGINE THAT SHE HAD A SUMMER WEDDING OUT IN A GARDEN.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE TAFFETA HAS SOME SHATTERING AND ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS FINE FOR DISPLAY (AFTER A CLEANING) I DOUBT IT WOULD SURVIVE WEARING IT. HOWEVER, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE EMBROIDERED NET/LACE IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THERE ARE A FEW TEARS AROUND THE HEM WHICH COULD BE REPAIRED AND A FEW SOME SPOTS. THERE IS A PICTURE OF THE MOST OBVIOUS ONE. I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN THE NETTING IS COTTON, SO IT SHOULD CLEAN QUITE WELL. IT'S QUITE A DARK IVORY, BUT WITH CLEANING I THINK IT WOULD BRIGHTEN SEVERAL SHADES TO A SOFT IVORY.

AFTER CLEANING, YOU COULD REPLACE THE LINING AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SKIRT TO WEAR TO YOUR OWN WEDDING. I CUSTOM MADE WEDDING GOWNS FOR 30 YEARS AND SOMEONE WHO HAS THE SAME SKILLS COULD TURN THIS VINTAGE BEAUTY INTO A NEW GOWN--IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SIMPLY PRESERVE AND ADMIRE THIS ANTIQUE BEAUTY.

THE WAIST IS 24 INCHES AND THE LENGTH IS 45 INCHES. THE BUST IS ABOUT 34 INCHES, WAIST 24, SIDE SEAM ABOUT 8 INCHES.


From Me:

I doubt this is a wedding gown. Instead, it looks like a lovely summer evening gown. It's from the 1890's based on those lovely sleeves.

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