Sunny Yellow Early Bustle Dress and Ball Gown Bodice

From the seller:

A brilliant yellow silk three piece 1865-1870 day and evening bodice with matching bustled overskirt. The day bodice has piped neckline, armscyes and waist. It is lined with cotton and has a yellow silk covered front button closure. The evening bodice has short cap sleeve that are trimmed with pleated yellow silk. It has a back lacing closure and is lined with cotton. The lacing is original to the bodice. The neck, armsyces and waist are piped. The overskirt hemline is trimmed with pleated yellow silk. The back is gathered into a bustle effect. The overskirt is lined with buckram. All of the pieces are in very good and sturdy condition. There is 1 dime size sot on the front of the day bodice and some stress wear near the back neckline. There is no underarm discoloration. The evening bodice has light underarm discoloration. There is a dime size spot on the back of the bustled area on the overskirt. This ensemble would look best worn over an ivory silk or organdy underskirt. Measurements for bodices: Bust 30 Waist 22. Overskirt front length 27 Back length 35.

From Me:

This dress was probably originally made in 1866 and redone slightly in 1868 to keep up with the changing fashions.

1866 Fashion Plate

In 1866, you still see the point on ball gown bodices, but this goes away by 1869. However, the overskirt shape is more in keeping with 1868.

1868 Fashion Plate