Thursday, July 27, 2017

Stunningly Beautiful Sheer Teen's Day Dress






From the seller:

VERY RARE ANTIQUE VINTAGE EDWARDIAN COTTON LACE 1900'S LAWN DRESS
FLORAL EMBROIDERY THROUGHOUT DRESS WITH HANDMADE BUTTONS AND TIERED SLEEVES

VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH A FEW TINY MENDS AND A FEW SMALL RUST SPOTS AT THE HEM
SIZE 4
33 INCH BUST

15 1/2 INCH SHOULDER SEAM TO SEAM
24 INCH WAIST
50 INCH LENGTH


From Me:

1915 Fashion Plate


Hopefully, it's pretty easy to see the similarities to the extant dress and the dress to right of the photo. Very 1915 and very lovely.

I probably won't be able to post much until mid August - Pennsic starts tomorrow which is also why I haven't been posting much at all.... :-)

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Late 1930's Dress with Silver Dots













From the seller:

Item specifics

Brand: Hilman?
Waist Size: 25
Original/Reproduction: Original
Hip Size: 36
Size (Women's): XS/S
Chest Size: 30
Size Type: Regular
Shoulder to Shoulder: n/a
Color: ivory and silver
Waist to Hem: 39
Decade: 1910s
Shoulder to Hem: 54
Material: silk
Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
UPC: Does not apply

This is such a lovely (and tiny!) dress from the 1910s.  It was just beautifully made, perhaps by someone named "Hilman," or at least that is what I think it says in pencil inside the grosgrain waist (see last photo).
I've had this dress for decades and did manage to wear it once, with the help of a very restrictive corset.  It is so pretty on, though the linings are pulling apart.  The outer layers--an ivory lawn (I think) with silver metal dots, is in good shape.  The petals it forms, and the silver silk ribbon trim are amazing.  Then there is an outer vest, of more "petals," and the sleeves have the same design but smaller, giving their edges a zig-zag appearance.
This is wearable as is, if you don't mind the chiffon and silk lining being torn, or you could have this replaced by a good seamstress.
There are worn areas across the bust, where the silver metal dots are worn off.
There is some light discoloration from age in areas, but mostly it is on the layers beneath the lawn outer layer and hard to see (unless you aim a flash at it, as my photos show).


From Me:


Based on the sizing, this was one tiny woman if it wasn't for a young girl. The lamè bow and bais tape are a pretty good indication that this is 1930's. The puffy short sleeves and the cut of the skirt also indicators of the date of the dress. As this collection of movie gowns from 1937 shows, high waist lines were in along with short, puffed, sleeves.


Worth's Spring & Summer 1937
1937 Fashion Catalog


And yes, bows on the front of the dress were a thing as well.





Natural Form Era Wedding Gown













From the seller:

1880 SATIN FLORAL BROCADE BUSTLE ONE PIECE TRAINED GOWN  MUSEUM DE-ACCESSIONED

This is an attractive reception gown of the 1880's period, that a mid to upper class woman would wear. A regal ivory/cream satin having gold and cream metallic floral brocade panel 1 PIECE in construction bustled trained gown. Together with the gown original pair of silk shoes.

Recently de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  New York , New York.
Shadows or light on fabric is just sunshine spots.

The bodice is lined with tan cotton and fabric covered stays.  Has some small underarm damage and discoloration only on inside lining.  Bodice lining is very good.  Bodice  has some shredding on arms and front. One cuff needs to be reattached. Petersham and waist band has a stamped previous owners name "Mrs. H. Rhodes, Providence, R.I.


CONDITION:
The skirt closes by hooks and loops at the back and gathers with pleats in the back for a nice fall. Two side aprons, rear puff and kick pleats at hem line accents the skirt nicely. The waist band has some damage. Back of the skirt has a seam opening of 2" opening at waist band, any easy fix. Some small rips in the folds of the train. This can be tucked to conceal. 
The skirt is lined with a cream polished cotton and gauze.   Lining of skirt and train is in good condition. The skirt's brocade material is in very good condition, except for a brown stain that is pictured.
The silk shoes are in poor condition with the silk having started to shred on the toes and heels.
Condition: The gown is in fair to good condition. 
BODICE:  Bust 29-1/2",Waist 21", Sleeve Length 10-1/2"
Shoulder to waist 18",
Across shoulder 12"   Shoulder  to front hemline  55"
SKIRT: Front skirt length 38-1/2" Back length 100", waist 21" .


From Me:

1876 Fashion Plate

This is from the late First Bustle/early Natural Form era. The Met appeared to have a few gowns that looked like this and they are all listed as "1870s".  Based on the colors, the style, the materials, and the fact there are matching shoes saved with this dress, I'm pretty sure it was a wedding gown.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

1890's Day Dress

From the seller:

This is a great cotton walking dress. it is in the Color of robin egg blue with gold stripes. it is accented with beautiful black Chantilly lace. the skirt is in great wearable shape with just a few small pin holes, I believe these can easily be darned. pictures show, the skirt has inverted pleats in the back. it has vertical pencil pleats. the bodice is in great wearable shape. it has a few breaks in the lace that can be easily fixed. the bodice is lined in cotton that does have staining, but it does not go through, this is a nice piece to add to your collection.
shoulders 14"
bust 34"
skirt longer in the back
waist
Sold As Is
Color of item may be slightly off from what you see.
I am human and therefore I may have missed minor flaws.
These are Antique clothing items. there will or could be rips, holes, stains snags, odors, hem lines coming lose. unseen flaws. you might even get a moth... I will do my best to point these out.
Measurements are amateur.
I will reuse shipping materials.
Everything is shipped with tracking.
I DO NOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY!!!
NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS, unless I have horridly misrepresented an item.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
Sold AS IS.
Feel free to message me questions before the last 24hr for a reply.
Product may be shown with accessory's they are not included in the sale.
Products may be shown with a slip, petticoat, or dress form. these are not included with the sale.
I am a collector of Antique clothing, take a look at my other items you might find another treasure!
I have more antique clothing at Lillys Linen And Lace
Thank You for looking
 29"

length front 31"
length rear 34"

clearly hand made lovely example for repair or display and so forth

as is no refunds or returns


From me:
*sigh* There is no such thing as "wearable" when it comes to a dress that is 120+ years old! There just isn't! Can the seller not see the shredding in the silk around the neckline?

We learn from these dresses, we do not wear these dresses.

This one is doesn't appear to be robin egg blue to me.  It appears to be a light bluish grey with a pale gold stripe.   Based on the ridiculous sleeves, it's very 1890's.

1896 Fashion Plate

1860's Ballgown Bodice in Floral Print


From the seller:

This auction is for an original lady's Ball Gown bodice from the Civil War period. It's made of vibrant floral-patterned silk chine. Features include dropped shoulders with piped armholes, waist and neckline. The sleeves are elegantly and lavishly trimmed out in colorful fringed braid! The bodice is boned and lined with off-white cotton twill. This is a classic example of Civil War Era bodices and dates to the earliest part of the war. This is a great addition to any collection! Not Wearable.

  Condition: Some pinholes, Structurally, it is very sound

Measurements are: The bust measures about 38 inches, The waist measures about 25 inches.


From Me:


1862 Fashion Plate


The style of the waist line makes me think this is American Civil War era. Personally, I love the layers of double fringe. They weren't scared of mixing patterns!