This is a place for any extant garments in private collections from about 1941 back. There is no beginning date. The only rule is that it can't be currently in a museum and must be before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I mostly post items I've seen on ebay, etsy, or other auction sites so we will continue to have a record of them for research purposes. If you have antique clothing in your collection, please, email me pictures of them and I will gladly add them to this site.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Maternity Early 1860's American Civil War Era Dress
From the seller:
This Civil War era dress C.1850-60's) is made from a loose weave fabric, that's semi sheer when you hold it up. I think it's either silk and wool or silk and linen, it has a scratchy feeling to it. The bodice is lined in brown cotton, it hooks down the front and has narrow tucks at the waist fur the bust. It has dropped shoulders with self piping around the armholes and neckline. The sleeves are tucked around the armhole. It has quite a few scattered holes, frayed spots and scattered small spots, a mend below the waist, it's still in sturdy condition and makes a nice display piece. It's 35 inches around the bust, waist is 27 and is 56 1/2 inches long. It came with a shawl, but since it's not a match, I decided to separate them and it's in another auction if you're interested. As IS
From Me:
So...the Civil War, last time I checked, was not in the 1850's but the early 1860's. One or the other seller, one or the other.
This is very much a maternity dress - notice the pleats on the front of the skirt? That indicates the first half of the 1860's - ie, pre Bustle. Then there is the waistline - notice how is goes up in the front compared to the back? This isn't just an "empire" waist dress we are used to seeing in the second half of the 1860's. It's also a rather plain house dress, an everyday type dress.
I hope everyone enjoys this last dress before I head to Pennsic. I'll be back and posting on August 13th, hopefully!
Edwardian Tea Gown in yellow pin stripe with florals
From the seller:
This pretty Victorian dress is made from a pale yellow silk satin and has a sheer floral silk gauze over it. The print has bouquets with ribbon trimmed garlands. It has a blue tissue silk ruffle down the front and a blue satin panel down the front, trimmed with silk and criss crossed ribbons with bows at the waist. Around the hem is a ruched yellow ribbon border. It has an embroidered ecru lace yoke and high collar. The yellow and blue silk is excellent, it has a few scattered spots, I found 1 on the yellow, a few on the blue below the waist. The floral sheer has quite a few scattered holes, The blue silk tissue silk ruffle is good, the chiffon front has spots, the chiffon on the sleeve has some spots, the bodice lining and bones are good, the bottom edge of the hem is dirty where it hit the floor, the silk chiffon ruffle on the hem has a ruched ruffle on the edge and that's loose for a few inches, the lace collar and yoke are good, but the tissue silk that backed it is shattered and mostly gone. It measures 34 inches around the bust, across the back shoulder is 12 7/8, waist is 24 and it's 58 inches long. It has a label from E & M Ouilleumier NYC
From Me:
It actually says Vuilleumier - a pretty common last name when you search it. This tea gown is probably from the mid Edwardian era based on the sleeves.
Mid to Late 1860's Bodice
From the seller:
This Civil War era bodice is made from a warp print floral silk taffeta. It's lined in cotton, it has dropped armholes with self piping around the armholes. It buttons with covered buttons down the front and has a tab that hooks across the waistband. It has 2 darts on each side that fan out and have bones behind them. One of the sleeves is missing a ruffle around the wrist, it has scattered spots and underarm stains, a tear on the waistband, but is covered by the tab, waist band is unstitched along the bottom of the waistband. It measures 33 1/4 inches around the bust, waist is 22 and it's 15 1/4 inches long. From the De Young Museum in San Fransisco.
From Me:
1866 Fashion Plate |
The cut and the trim placement are more in line with the post American Civil War era - although, just barely.
Beautiful Blue Silk 1890's Dress
From the seller:
This is a beautiful two piece dress.It is in excellent condition although the waist band on the skirt is torn.
Bust 28"
Waist 20"
From Me:
My guess, based on the measurements, is this was for a young miss.
Also, if anyone would like to know my favorite color, this is it. :-)
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Lovely Late Edwardian Embroidered and Lace Summer Dress
From the seller:
An Antique Handmade Ladies Formal Dress 1800's with Crocheted Buttons
A most unusual long ladies dress...located at an estate sale... Handmade long sleeves formal dress..with appliqué ..covered buttons as a decoration all down the front and at the edge of the sleeves..Hooks and eyes in the back and at the end of the sleeves..A heavy cotton fabric...Condiiton...some fading.. some stains..Unique dress...
From Me:
There is nothing unusual about this dress and it's not as unique as the seller believes. Nor is it formal. Or from the 1800's. I really wish people would take maybe 10 minutes to do some research on some fashion plates and realize that what they are looking at is a day dress from the early 20th century and not something peculiar.
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