This is a place for any extant garments in private collections from about 1941 back. There is no beginning date. The only rule is that it can't be currently in a museum and must be before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I mostly post items I've seen on ebay, etsy, or other auction sites so we will continue to have a record of them for research purposes. If you have antique clothing in your collection, please, email me pictures of them and I will gladly add them to this site.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
The Perfect 1920's Christmas Dress
From the seller:
Welcome!I
1920s 20s Antique Vintage Great Gatsby Flapper Beaded Red Silk Velvet Plunging Party Dress
Truly one of a kind! Rare beaded red silk velvet flapper dress. Lined with fabric that feels like silk. Sophisticated draped front, shoulder criss cross bands, medallion style beading at the hips. There are no labels present but I wouldn't be surprised if this was a labeled garment.
CONDITION: Excellent . Well preserved. No issues to point out. Do not miss out!
Measured inside. Measurements approximated.
Bust(approx.): 36/37
Waist (approx.): dropped waist 40/42
Hips:free
Length: shoulder to hem 45, shoulder to dropped waist 21
(measured flat, waist is snug, bust approximated, leave room according to your preferences, all in inches)
From Me:
....
I was going to go 1930's this year for Christmas but I could totally do 1920's again if I made this dress.
Remember, no drool on the dresses, ladies and gentlemen! (I added the BIG version of the pictures. Just click on any of the images but not on the pinterest symbol to see some of the amazing details)
Natural Form Wrapper Blue Stripes!
From the seller:
A magnificent 1880’s aqua stripe silk bustle dress. The fabric has a changeable shimmering quality depending on the light reflection. The fabric has a strong gold undertone. The true color shows best in the close up photos. The fabric has a thin gray stripe. The dress is designed in the one piece Princess style. It has a long back sweep. The front opening, sleeve cuffs, neckline, skirt front and hemline are all decorated with self fabric ruffles. The dress has a front button closure that extends from the neckline to hip area. The back of the dress has Watteau pleating. The dress is fully lined with cotton. It is in excellent and clean condition. There is no underarm discoloration and no splits or holes in the fabric. The dress is for display ONLY. Bust 34 Waist 28 Front length from shoulder to hem 53 Back length 65.
From Me:
It's easy to see the 18th Century influences - which came back en vogue in the 1870's- on this dress. This is too pretty! I need to make one.
1860's Half Mourning Bonnet
From the seller:Victorian French jet beaded small mourning bonnet as is. It is missing beadwork, has hanging beads/bead work, color fading and has some fabric issues. Could poss be re-dyed by the looks of it. The lining is in very good condition as well as the shape/hats form- so it is still able to be placed on the head. The velvet ribbon tie is missing its connector. You could use anything to replace it (even a small piece of elastic). There is some weight to this piece still. Still a lovely little hat and still very pretty in its condition. Please ask if questions.
From Me:
Given the jet and other trimmings, this is a half mourning bonnet. The shape and even trim placement looks very similar to this one at the Met from 1865. Meaning, this is probably okay for any American Civil War re-enactors.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
1880's Winter Coat/Dolman
From the seller:
DATING TO THE VICTORIAN 19TH C 1880’S
FASHIONED OF A PLUSH PILE BROWN SILK VELVET NAP WITH A FUR FULLNESS
LINED IN SILK
HOOKS CLOSED IN THE FRONT
THE REAR IS CUT IN FULL BUSTLE FASHION
SLEEVES DOLMAN AND FITTED AT THE BOTTOM
THE ENTIRE BOTTOM EDGE IS TRIMMED IN PLUSH FUR BOB DANGLES
THERE ARE SOME DANGLE ENDS ABSENT, SMALL WEAR AT COLLAR EDGE AND ON INNDER LINING OF THE NECKLINE
VERY PRISTINE IN ITS APPEARANCE AND FULLY WEARABLE
MEASUREMENTS IN INCHES:
BUST: 34
BOTTOM: 46
REAR LENGTH: 24
FRONT LENGTH: 24
From Me:
Although Dolman's were popular from the late 1860's and well into the 1880's, I think the seller is right on this one. Check out a similar one in red at the V&A.
1870's Bustle Outfit
From the seller:
Ladies summer ecru linen two piece walking outfit, dating to the 1870-80. Front button closure, with tiny box pleat trim, tiny watch pocket side of jacket, with brown and tan embroidery embellishments. Back closing skirt slightly longer at the back with more of the pleats and embroidery, this actually may have had a additional longer skirt under this skirt, but if it did it is not longer with the set. Uncleaned as found with storage/age/use marks here and there, couple of small breaks on one sleeve, the waist has had an extender tab sewn to band.
Chest measures 34", waist 30", length from shoulders 25", sleeves 21", shoulder to shoulder 12". Skirt waist 28", length in front 33" with train 48".
From Me:
I'm a bit hesitant to post this one as it looks like it might be from a western (ie, a costume) rather than an extant garment. However, I wanted to include it just in case. The sewing techniques look more mid 20th century to me than late 19th century. Given the amount of westerns being made in the 1950's and 1960's, it's very possible that this is from that era rather than from the 1870's - which would explain the lack of lining. However, since it seems unlikely that a spaghetti western would include such a detail as a watch pocket or the double layer of skirts (we only have the overskirt left) it's also possible that this really is from the 1870's.
Romantic Era Shoes
From the seller:
An early pair of1820-1830 black leather straight shoes. The toes are decorated with a black silk rosette that has a metal center. The shoes are lined with cotton and linen. The shoes are in good condition with normal wear. One of the shoes has scattered nicks in the leather and the other shoes has one small nick at the back heel. (See photos.) Length 10 ½ Width 3 inches.
From Me:
The length of the tongue area (the part of that goes over the foot) is rather long, making me think these are more in the 1830's category than the 1820's.
Edwardian Black and White Dress
From the seller:
A striking 1895 Belle Epoch white and black stripe evening dress. The fabric has a black stripe designed with a lace pattern on a white background. The bodice has leg of mutton styled sleeves that are trimmed with black lace. The bodice has a faux bolero style front and back. It is trimmed with black lace. The neckline is trimmed with beige lace and decorative buttons. The skirt is trimmed with black lace. The bodice is lined with cotton and the skirt is unlined. The dress has a back hook and eye closure. It is in very good and sturdy condition. There are small area of light underarm discoloration, a few pencil tip size holes and 2 small pea size age spots. The dress is for display ONLY. Bust 32 Waist 24 Skirt length 38.
From Me:
The dress is from almost a decade later than the seller claims. Here are some similar fashion plates from 1903.
There is also this one from 1904 which is very similar:
Sunday, November 23, 2014
White 1880's Bustle Era Dress
From the seller:
A charming 1880’s ivory textured silk bustle dress. The one piece dress is deigned in the Princess style. The fabric has a raised small line pattern. The sleeves and front panel on the skirt are made of ivory satin. The bodice has a cut out neckline that is edged with ivory satin. The skirt front has four ruffles made of both fabric. The back is gathered into a bustle effect. The front opening and back are trimmed with ivory satin ribbon The dress is lined with cotton and has a front button closure. It is in good condition. There is some very light underarm discoloration and fraying under one sleeve. The sleeves have some barely visible line age marks. The skirt has a few scattered ½ inch splits and one 4 inch repair on one hip. The dress is for display ONLY. Bust 30 Waist 22 Front length from shoulder to hem 51 back length 54.
From Me:
I'm a bit torn on this one as to whether it's 1870's or 1880's. The sleeve length is more 1870's but the overall design is more 1880's. Maybe 1883, right when the bustle came back into style?
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