Droolworthy 1880's Bustle Era Dress

From the seller:

DATING TO THE VICTORIAN 19TH C

FASHIONED OF A HIGH SHINING BLACK SILK SATIN

THE BODICE IN SLATTED FASHION, FULL BUSTLE IN THE REAR

CUT VELVET IN FLORAL PATTERNS TRIMS THE FRONT

BOB BUTTONS CLOSE, EACH BEADED IN THE TOP CENTER WITH PORTIONS OF THE FLORAL VELVET BEADED

BEADED BOB DANGLES TRIM THE SIDES OF THE BODICE

THE SKIRT IN SILK SATIN THRU THE FRONT, IN POINTS WITH MATCHING GOLDEN BEAD BOB DANGLES TRIMMING

THE SIDES OF THE SKIRTING IN MATCHING CUTWORK VELVET, AGAIN HIGHLIGHTED WITH GOLDEN BEADS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOTE!!…THE VELVET ON THE SIDES OF THE SKIRTING IS WEAK AND BREAKING ALL OVER. NOT THE SATIN OR BOB DANGLES, BUT THE FLORAL VELVET ON THE SIDES….I SUSPECT WATER DAMAGE

THE REAR WAS EITHER NEVER FINISHED, OR MORE LIKELY THE FABRIC WAS USED FOR ANOTHER PIECE

POLISHED COTTON SKIRT BASE SEEN, THERE IS A SLEEVE FOR BONING BUT NONE FOUND.







MEASUREMENTS IN INCHES:
BODICE:
CHEST: 32
WAIST: 23
LENGTH: 27

SKIRT:
WAIST: 24
LENGTH: 40

From Me:

Ladies and Gentlemen, no drool on the dress, please.

I know there will be a mini fight on who gets to be the first to recreate this one. It is fabulous! It is missing the back skirt - I don't think it's incomplete. I believe the skirt was either lost or used later for another dress. Still, this is really beautiful.

1884 Fashion Plate via the Bartos Collection