Lovely Cream and Silver Edwardian Blouse

From the seller:

1850s ANTIQUE FASHION VICTORIAN GOLD THREAD & LACE SILK BLOUSE
DESCRIPTION: Offered to you is this 1850s antique fashion Voctorian gold thread and lace silk blouse. This is a very complicated and difficult to make model. There are some defects on the fabric due to its age and the buttons cannot be open. For condition see photos. Scarce and highly collectable item. Size: length 16” ; width at shoulders 15”

From Me:

Clearly, the seller had no clue what they had. I'm pretty sure it's just tarnished silver lace - not gold- however, it's still impressive. It's probably from around 1907 ish given what looks like a higher waistline and the shorter sleeves. (Although the seller says it's 16" in length, I'm not sure where s/he's measuring from as the width is looks like a lot longer than the length.  Maybe they confused those too?)

1907 Fashion Plate

Edwardian Striped Outfit with Lace Insert

From the seller:

This is a black and white fine cotton striped skirt and blouse. The blouse has a “T” design in front with off white crochet lace and a black velvet trim. It has a high collar which has a repairable hole with some find needlework, in the front crochet and similar hole at back near hook closure. This blouse is in good condition except for above mentioned and some shredding on the inside silk lining behind the front crochet lace. The blouse as a whole is still very pretty and it matches skirt.

The skirt which is also in good condition. It does have a hole in back (see last photo) which is hardly noticeable. It has double hooks at back waist, a small train with some room for a small bustle perhaps. The waist band is solid and there are six back hooks. The hem and dress as a whole appears to be machine sewn with early chain stitch. There are two black bands of velvet across the middle of the skirt and this elegantly matches the black velvet trims of the blouse. This dress is delicate because of its age but could be displayed nicely or worn at owners discretion.

Shoulders 12", Waist 16.5 ", Length 19 ", Across front under arms 20 ". Skirt: Shoulders 14", Length 36".

From Me:

It was far too dark to post anything yesterday. Today, I chose a more somber outfit.

The blouse should be tucked in but this is an Edwardian skirt and blouse. There would not have been a bustle.

1903 Fashion Plaste

Natural Form Bodice and Turn of the Century Shirtwaist

From the seller:

This auction includes a gorgeous blue velvet jacket or coat, and a white linen muslin shirt with the ruffle , circa 1880s.
The jacket features a beautiful satin lining with an interior pocket, book ended by matching bows. The top of the pocket is pleaded and there is velvet contrast across the pocket front. The initials KBP is embroidered on a piece of satin attached to the inside of the jacket.

All of the buttons have been removed from the jacket. It still has the metal closure at the neck. It is in excellent condition but has not been laundered. There is one tiny opening on the inside left sleeve about the size of a pea. Does not extend to the lining. It measures 16" inches across the flat bust, 12 1/2" inches across the flat waist, 17" at hip and 21" shoulder to sleeve cuff. It measures 14 inches across the back shoulders.

I am throwing the shirt in as a freebie. It has not been laundered and has some soiling. It features a fabulous ruffle on the front bottoms and it buttons in the back. All 17 buttons are present and accounted for. It features lace floral embellishments at the elbow and cuff. There is a tear in the back of the ruffle about size quarter.


From Me:

It's horrible that the buttons were removed but at least we can still see the exquisite detailing of this winter bodice! Check out the little pocket inside the bodice or that fabulous bit of embroidery which, I assume, was the original owner's initials.

1879 fashion Plate

Although the cut is different in a number of ways, I'm looking at the yellow dress on the far left. Notice how her collar dips back a bit? This seems to be a Natural Form thing as you don't see that much in the second bustle. The collar on this extant bodice does that too.

1880 Fashion Plate

The red dress on the far left has the same collar shaping going on.

As for the shirtwaist, any time between 1898-1903 really.  Here is a photo of a group of ladies from 1902 with one wearing a similar blouse:

1902 Photograph

1899 Fashion Plate

Although the wedding gown is far more fancy than this extant blouse, the lines for trimming are the same.  

Lovely & Simple Turn of the Century Blouse

From the seller:




favorite things past....



DESCRIPTION:

chest measures 34", sleeves 23", waist 22", length 17."

From Me:

1901 Fashion Plate

I'm pretty sure this is very late Victorian/early Edwardian. The higher in the back than front waist stay, the very fitted sleeves, the pin tuck at the top of the sleeve, and the pigeon front are all typical of the Turn of the Century era.

World War I Purple Blouse

From the seller:

This auction is for a delicious Edwardian suit bodice with peplum. It's made of a fine wool knit. The design is scrumptious! It's cut is fantastic and the embellishments are superb! My favorite detail is the finely embroidered organdy collar. It was sewn in by hand. The edging on it is so delicate and precise. What a work of art! The color is deep aubergine or eggplant. Unusual and stunning. The crystalline motifs of roses that appear to be made of dewdrops! They are, in fact, individually applied crystal beads. Then there are all the tiny pearl buttons, not just sewn on, but artfully applied with a sprig stitch! I wonder what the hat that accompanied this suit looked like. Or the shoes! One can only imagine.

Condition: Underarm discoloration and a general unevenness in tone. No closures and scattered small holes.

Measurements are: The bust is about 36 inches & the waist is about 27 inches

From Me:

I think this might have been an older dress, remade a few years later during the war - the sleeves look a bit odd as if they had been short and then the length was added much later.

1917 Fashion Plate

Most likely 1917 or there abouts.