Wednesday, February 17, 2016

American Civil War Era Green Striped Bodice






From the seller:

A lovely 1860’s Civil War era two tone gray stripe silk bodice. The fabric has a dark gray and light green stripe on a light gray background. The bodice has full pagoda styles sleeve that are trimmed with black velvet ribbon and buttons. The neck, armscyes and waist are piped. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The black velvet buttons on the front opening are decorative. It is in very good and sturdy condition. There are no holes or splits in the fabric. There is a small mark of underarm discoloration on the inside lining only. Bust 34 Waist 24.

From Me:

This is probably another example of an earlier dress/bodice that was reshaped slightly for the later fashions. I say that only because, by 1864, the pagoda sleeve had finally fallen out of high fashion but was still being used. Also, by that point, the pointed front on the bodice had gone way, as we see here on this extant piece.

1864 Fashion Plate

1 comment:

  1. I really like those velvet details; going at an angle from the fabric stripes like that seems a bold design choice I would probably not have thought of. I think it gives the piece a nice dynamism.

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