Friday, May 6, 2016

1880's Burgundy Bustle Dress








From the seller:

A charming 1880’s silk bustle skirt that was originally worn by Amanda Evelyn Brower Hewitt. She was married to Thomas Hewitt of North Stonington, CT. They were listed on the Long Island Social Register. The dress is made of a terra-cotta and white floral silk and burgundy silk fabric. The front of the bodice, collar, hemline and sleeve cuffs are trimmed with burgundy silk. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a hidden front hook and eye closure. The skirt has draped panels and inserts of burgundy. The back is gathered into a bustle effect. The skirt has a built in bustle cage and is lined with cotton. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There is a 3 inch split on one sleeve that exposes the lining and two armscyes period mends under this same sleeve. There is some minor fading near the sleeve cuff trim. Bust 30 Waist 23 Skirt length 39.

From Me:


1884 Fashion Plate
I love that little fan detail on the backside!

I would say another word for backside in American that would make it quite punny but I've been reading too many British articles today and it means something very different in British!


2 comments:

  1. LOL! It means something different in Australia, too. I was quickly corrected during my long-ago visit there. I had to wear a belly-pack instead. ;-)

    My fingers itch to tinker with this dress to see exactly how those panels were designed.

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    1. It's so strange since it also happens to be a perfectly respectable girls name that even Jane Austen used for one of her characters! It's still quite popular in parts of continental Europe.

      I'm just amazed at, despite how busy the pattern is, the dress isn't dizzying.

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