Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Edwardian Silk Dress









From the seller:

1895 WALKING SUIT 2 - PIECE RICH PRINTED SATIN OUTFIT APPLIQUES PUFFED SLEEVES

This is an excellent example of Victorian elegance that a mid to upper class woman would wear. A striking 1895 afternoon walking suit with puffed sleeves. Beautifully embellished thru out with green velvet striped appliques and white machine embroidered lace applique embellishment. The bodice is slim fitting and has a high net lace neckline. The bodice's collar and front panel is constructed with many hook and eyes closure. Also has a inner bodice with hook and eye closures.


Recently de-accessioned from the Rochester historical museum in New York state. The gown still retains it's original Museum ID catalog identification tag, inside as well as string tags with donor's name The gown is hand stitched and machine sewn.

The fabric is a fine printed silk satin embellished with green velvet stripes sewn on netting that pick up the light and gives the garment a rich glow and texture. The bodice has 9 stays and it is tight fitted with a cotton lining. The bodice extends to the skirt and fastens at the back of the waist by two buttons. A matching satin sash then covers the waist. The bodice closes in front with many small hook and eyes. The high (unboned) collar and sleeves are trimmed with intricate ecru lace. There are gathering ruched on the sleeves.

The skirt is completely composed of many yards of the lovely fabric and also embellished with green stripes on netting, and with lace appliques. There are vertical pintucks pleats cascading down the front of the skirt to hemline. It has pleats at the bustle leading to a moderate train. There is an underskirt, which is in bad shattered condition, which could be replaced. The skirt closes by hooks and eyes at the back and gathers with pleats in the back for a nice fall. The matching skirt falls straight in the front. The skirt has a center back hook/eye closure.

Few pieces of left over scrap material from when the dress was made will be included.

Minor imperfection, small rip on front of bodice that is hide from view with the folds. Inner sheer lining of lace yoke of bodice has shattered. Very light underarm discoloration stains. Waist band on bodice needs to be attached in places, an easy fix. One very small stain on skirt. In very good wearable condition.

BODICE: The measurements of bodice at bustline = 32", shoulders across back seam to seam = 13", bodice waistline = 24", sleeve length = 25"

SKIRT: waistline is 25". Waist to hemline is 39" in front of the skirt, waist to hemline in back is 51". The skirt is in very good condition.

I have listed other early clothing in my ebay store.


From Me:

First, I just bought a sari last week with this same pattern but in red! ...And I hear those of you that know about my fabric hoard groaning. It's gotten smaller - I swear!

Second, this is Edwardian. It is confusing because of the sleeves but notice they don't go up, they go out. Also notice how they are really 3/4 sleeves with lengthening them.  Then there is that pigeon front thing.

1905 Fashion Plate via the Bartos Collection

1904 Fashion Plate via the Bartos Collection


The curved neckline can also be another indicator of the later date - most Victorian bodices have a v-front.

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