Saturday, September 24, 2016

Edwardian Dress (?) White with pintucks


From the seller:

VICTORIAN SILK WEDDING GOWN
Label: none

Description:
Candlelight silk 2-piece wedding gown from the late 1800s
The bodice closes with hooks and eyes on the left side and shoulder seams
The collar and yoke has something stiff inside to keep the shape
It has stays inside and 3 hooks at the center back bottom to attach to the skirt
The skirt is full in the back for a bustle
It also closes with hooks and eyes
There is a velvet strip and ruffle around the inside of the hem
Condition:

In very good condition, clean and undamaged condition
Measurements:

These measurements are taken flat with a flexible measuring tape...You have to be smaller than the measurements to allow room for ease:

There is no size tag, it was worn by a very tiny lady
Shoulder to shoulder: 12 inches
Sleeve length: 25 inches
Bust: 30 inches
Waist: 20 inches
Hip: 34 inches
Skirt length center front: 41 inches
Skirt length center back: 44 inches
Remember, vintage is NOT new...This is previously worn and will show minor wear...I have inspected and mentioned any noticeable or detracting flaws, noting whether this garment is wearable or not...If not, it can still be appreciated and used for fabric, pattern or construction study...This is sold As Found...Repairing flaws, cleaning, spot removal and pressing is the responsibility of the buyer, as I don't want to damage the garment.


From Me:

I almost didn't post this one for several reasons. I decided to post it and just lay out everything I see and see if anyone else has the same issues or additional ones.


  1. The bodice and the skirt don't match. Yes, they are both white, but that's about it. The bodice has these fabulous diamond pintucks, lace around the neckline, and other adornments that the skirt just...doesn't. The skirt does have the lovely knife pleat trim but that was very common during most of the Victorian and Edwardian years. What the skirt doesn't have, is those corresponding hooks and eyes that line the inside waist of the bodice - the bodice was meant for a much heavier skirt. Also, the skirt length would indicate a grown woman where the bodice seems more fit for a teenager.
  2. My second problem is I think the bodice is a very, very good reproduction of an original and not antique. The diamond pintucks and the lace look too much like something you'd get in any fabric store. I've bought similar fabric myself for making partlets. The only thing that gives me pause, really, are the stays on the inside but they could have been ripped out of another antique piece and placed here for more authenticity.

1902 Fashion Plate
If it is authentic, then it's an early Edwardian.  If not, it's a very good reproduction.

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