Saturday, April 30, 2016

Late Victorian Breast Improver




From the seller:A very unique Victorian antique bust enhancer. It is made of cotton and filled with padding. It is all hand stitched. It is in very good condition. There is one tiny age spot and one pea size age spot. Width 18 Length from point to point 11 ½ inches.

From Me:

In the days before plastic surgery, ladies did a much safer thing and just stuffed their bras and/or corsets.

There is a similar extant ones over at Abiti Antichi dated to the 1890's.

Victorian and Edwardian Bodice and Shirtwaist Lot with Natural Form Overskirt













From the seller:
Lot of Victorian Blouses plus one/two Jackets? with a bustle?. I think most of this belonged to my great grandmother who was very tiny. The pink silk jacket goes with the bustle that I tried to photograph on the chair. To gauge size, the pink jacket measurements are below. I am not a collector, but would say that none of these are in pristine condition - there are brown spits and other blemishes. Please see photos for condition and ask any questions before you bid

Approximate measurements (jacket closed):
Across the top (sleeve seam to sleeve seam): 13 1/2"
Pit to pit: 15", please double

Waist at narrowest point: 12", please double

Length: 18" (taken in the back to the waist, not including the points)


From Me:




Because everything I look at the pink bodice and the lovely lacy Natural Form shirtwaist in comparison to the others, the above is the song I have going through my head. Just sayin'....


For the blouse, scroll down to number 59 for another extant blouse that is similar in cut.

1879 Fashion Plate

The pink dress in the fashion plate may have been the inspiration for the extant bodice and overskirt! It's a lovely color...

As for the rest of the lot:

1904 Fashion Plate from  Wearing History
Probably Edwardian but these styles were worn into the Teen's era so anywhere in the early 20th C.

Late Victorian and Edwardian Bodices with a Short Cape













From the seller:

This auction is for three pieces of vintage Victorian clothing. There are two bodices and a shoulder cape. As can be seen in the photos, they all have some issues and may be good only for repair, salvage of materials for other projects or display. The bodices are in much stronger condition than the cape and could probably be worn with a little work. The bodice with the puffed sleeves is made of a heavy silk satin and the silk is very strong, however, the lace has become somewhat dry and there are holes. It also feels as if something spilled on one sleeve and it has stiffened the fabric. I have not attempted to clean it. The bust measures 34” and the waist measures 28”. The other bodice is also in strong condition everywhere except the lace neckline which has breaks. It is made of a lighter silk. Some small areas of the soutache trim have browned with age. The bust measures 36” and the waist measures 24”. The silk ruffle trim on the cape has deteriorated and is falling off in pieces. The body of the cape is still strong with typical moth holes and nips. The lining is good.

From Me:

The puffy sleeved one is very much mid 1890's Victorian but the other bodice is late Edwardian.

1894 Fashion Plate

1909 Fashion Plate


The cape is most likely 1890's as well.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Early Bustle Dress!









From the seller:

welcome to our auction of.a selection of a very old antique clothing .please read condition above .it has a price of 300.00 from 25 years ago we are starting low .beautifulgray 2 pce bodice and skirt with original buttons .i am not sure of fabric .it is so beautiful and i love the wings on the skirt and trim is a gray ribbon of same fabric with ivory fringed design. i will be listing directly from estate .this person was a vintage clothing & textile dealer .have been in box for storage .read condition above and ask questions .i am not an expert in this category .many other outstanding clothing and textile related items on at this time or coming soon .
bodice measures ,
shoulder to shoulder of 15''
bust of 32''
waist of 20''
length of 15''

skirt measures

length of 36 in front and 38'' in back''
waist of 20''


From Me:

It annoys me to no end when people are incapable of hitting the shift key. Seriously, how hard is it to capitalize letters? Have we truly descended into that form of laziness in which we find it too troubling to reach our pinkies over and hit two keys at once? I doubt this was done on a phone as most phones know two things - period then two spaces and capitalize letters at the beginning of words.

Given the lengths of the skirt and the measurements of the bodice, I believe this was a young miss dress.

1868 Fashion Plate


What I really like about this dress is the horsehair lining. This would have given the overskirt a bit of extra "oomph" for some extra fullness.

Edwardian Apron







From the seller:

Fantastic antique primitive pinafore/apron. Measures 42" long. Waist is 38", which includes the ties. Has age stains. Pocket on the right hip with coordinating material. Pretty cotton material in dark brown and cream. Handmade. This is a great primitive prairie piece of clothing.

From Me:

1904 Ad for Aprons


There are a few details that need to be pointed out. In one of the photos, you can see the front lower half of the apron is gathered - but only in the front. This is consistent with the Edwardian era. The two fabrics used both appear to be cotton prints. I love the pocket - very useful! As in the ad, the apron would have been fitted around the wearer and not just the front. Anyone that has tried to clean something very dusty will know why.

Bustle Era Young Miss Cream Colored Dress














From the seller:

THIS IS A MAGNIFICENT VICTORIAN, 1870, YOUNG LADY'S COTTON SUMMER WHITE 3 PC VICTORIAN DRESS.



THE LONG BODICE TOP HAS A HIGH NECK, BUSTLE BACK, MOTHER OF PEARL BUTTON CLOSURE FRONT, AND LACE TRIM.

IT ALSO HAS A RUCHED BIB FRONT PIECE TRIMMED IN LACE. THIS PIECE HAS NOTHING ON IT TO FASTEN IT TO THE TOP.

THE RUFFLED SKIRT HAS NOTHING ON IT FOR CLOSURE .



GOOD CONDITION - HAS THREE TINY PERIOD MENDS



MEASURES:

TOP:

NECK - 13"

BUST - 29"

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER - 12 1/2"

NECK TO HEM - BACK -43"

NECK TO HEM - FRONT -37"

WAIST - 25"

SLEEVE - 18"

BIB:

NECK TO HEM - 18"

WIDE - 7"

SKIRT:

WAIST - 25"

WAIST TO HEM-31"


From Me:

1885 Fashion Plate

My guess is more 1880's based on the bib front, the high neck, and the width of the skirt. This would have been worn by a middle schooler. :-)