Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Too Stunning Frothy Pink & White Lace Summer Bustle Dress














From the seller:

Over the Top Antique Victorian c1870's 3 pc. Bustle Ensemble
*

This sensational antique Victorian circa mid 1870's 3 piece bustle ensemble includes a soft pink finely woven wool princess dress with fitted bodice, slightly dropped shoulder, three quarter sleeves, mandarin collar, no closures and a trained wool pleat trimmed skirt, a lace and ruched sheer cream wool jacket/bodice (no closures or buttonholes present) with stand up pleated collar trim, matching cuffs, split hem detail, silk net lining the collar ruffle and a dramatic matching overskirt with pink wool fabric, lace embellishments, draped fabric, swags and intricate pleating.

The antique ensemble is being offered for Display, Study or Pattern as the sheer cream wool fabric has areas of deterioration, wear, discolorations and fade to the pink and cream wool, it was crafted by a Superior hand of quality materials, #13 is inked on the interior waistband of the overskirt, there are NO CLOSURES on ANY of the pieces, hand and machine stitches are present, no undergarments are included, measures are approximate and noted below FOR REFERENCE ONLY and all three pieces are being offered as found.

Jacket: Shoulder: 16" Bust: 34" Waist: 28" Sleeve: 16 1/2" Length: 24 1/2" (rear collar to hem) Underarm to side hem: 11 1/2"

Overskirt: Waist: 26 1/2" Front length: 40 1/2" Rear Length: 54"

Princess Dress: Shoulder: 16" Bust: 34" Waist: 26" Sleeve: 17 1/2" Hip: 45" Front Length: 55" from shoulder

Rear Length from Nape: 74" Sweep: 137"


From Me:

1875 Fashion Plate

Probably right before the Natural Form era - this piece is just too pretty! Imagine gathering all that frothy white gauze! I don't think it's wool sheer - it looks like a regular old sheer cotton to me- but the pink *might* be. Plain weave wool can look like cotton (which is what the pink looks like to me) so the underdress could be either.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Late 1850's/Early 1860's UFO Ballgown


From the seller:

Circa 1860’s, a luminous cream silk bodice and skirt. The bodice has inner stays and hook and eyes and lacing holes at the back and is lined with a inner cream chintz with extra original padding under chest. The skirt is quite voluminous, a lovely luminous cream silk with inner chintz lining . There is a black velvet trim around the neckline and bottom of the skirt. There was black lace which we have taken off because of damage on the lace… so black velvet ribbon is attractive against the cream silk, if collector desires they can always add lace.Measuring apprx.42” long for skirt , 24 1/2” around waist..Bodice measures apprx.14 1/2” across chest, 21-22” across waist area. In very good strong condition.. NO WEAR, one small area on edge of bodice cord,minor.and a broken stay right near lacing holes, also missing laces..a few stains on inner chintz, silk has dirt marks on very edge , a couple of minor marks, just needs cleaning.Any remaining black threads from lace we will have removed… In all… NO WEAR……very good condition, needs only to be cleaned.



From Me:

The first thing I noticed, after the lack of sleeves, was that the skirt was displayed wrong. It's shown on it's side with the front to the left of the photo (right of the dress).  You can tell based on the pleating and how badly the skirt wants to swish to the right of the photo.

The point on the ballgown pretty much disappears by 1863/1864, so the dress is from before then.  The lack of sleeves make it slightly harder to date - I'm sure some seamstress was trying to "improve" her dress to the latest fashion and it ended up lingering in the UFO pile forever- but I think it's probably about 1862/1863.  This might be another reason it was left to linger - the point was no longer fashionable by the time she got back around to fixing it.

1862 Fashion Plate

Notice the pleating on the fashion plate skirt compared to the extant skirt - the pleats move towards the back with a wide front and more pleats as you go back.  This was to add some "umph" to the back of the skirt.  By 1863, you start to see very small early bustles; although they don't become a fashion necessity until about 1867/1868.

Peachy Tan 1920's Dress with Superb Detailing


From the seller:

Antique dress 1925. Europe.

Chestnut-colored crepe de chine.

Decorative richness of this dress - finely braided floral ornament.

Beads in tone color fabric.

Two slash pockets finished with copper-colored velvet.

The skirt is very feminine with fine pleats - corrugation.

At the waist straps.

The cuffs also embroidered with beads and laces.

Fabric firm.

Underarm torn. A hole on the back.



From Me:

I love the details on this dress! Beyond the fabulous couched embroidery are those fantastic pleats. Notice the pleat shaping at the neckline as well as those pintucks going down the front sides of the dress. This is a super cute little day dress.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

1920's Light Blue Dress with Shoulder Cape













From the seller:

MEASUREMENTS (inches)

Bust- 36
Waist- 36
Hip- 38
Length- 38
Sleeve Length- 23

ERA- 1920s

DESIGNER-

FABRIC- silk chiffon and silk lined

IMPERFECTIONS- discoloration and stains, no tears or holes


Thank you for viewing my listing, if you have any
questions please feel free to email me. Happy bidding.


From Me:

1920's Party Dress

The cape affect collar was more popular in the early 1920's than the late 1920's.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

The "Will drive you nuts if you have OCD even in the smallest amount" 1920's Black beaded dress













From the seller:

DESCRIPTION: TRUE Vintage 1920's Flapper Dress
Hand Beaded with GLASS BEADS!!!
Open Shoulders!
This truly is a GORGEOUS piece!

Circa 1920's
A Great piece of fashion history!


MEASUREMENTS are all measured laying flat -

*shoulder to shoulder - 22"
*bust (arm pit to arm pit) - 20"
*waist - 19"
* hips - 21"
*length (back of collar to bottom hem) - 43"

Hand Beaded Belt measures 3/4" wide, and 88" long!!!!

CONDITION: Great Age Appropriate condition...the damage in photos looks worse than what they actually are. Very hard to see. Can be easily repaired. Very wearable.
It is uncleaned.
Selling as Found.
View Pictures Carefully, as They are Part of the Description.


From Me:

First: Why is that green bead there? WHY?!?  I know it's just on the scarf part but gah!!!!

Second: The sleeves!   I love, LOVE the open sleeves.  This would be the perfect dress for a summer cocktail party.   Probably about 1924/1925 based upon the sheath style of the dress.