Romantic Era (?) Baptism Dress

From the seller:
1830's LONG CHRISTENING GOWN WITH HAND SEWN FANCY LACE TRIMMINGS

This fine antique batiste cotton christening gown dates from the early 1830's and is all hand sewn. This gown is open at back with draw strings in top and no other closures. The condition of this piece is very good with no stains, some damage at bottom lace as shown in photo, one small rip as shown in photos again in bottom lace, the material is sturdy, and wearable and has been recently washed and pressed.

Length of this gown is 35''. The circumference around the waist is 18''; the area under the arms bodice circumference around the upper waist is 25". The circumference of the bottom of the gown is approx. 106" and the length from bodice to the bottom is 28-1/2". Length of sleeve is 3" and sleeve opening is 4". This early Christening gown would be an impressive addition to any collection or a family heirloom for generations to come.

I have listed other christening gowns and early children's

From Me:

This style was popular for a very, very long time in the 19th century. You still see the style sleeve and neckline shown here well into the 1860's. However, this one probably is from the 1830's based on the trim.

1830's "Strawberry Girl"

Child's Natural Form Plaid Dress

From the seller:

Rare child's bustle 1880's gown. This looks a lot like the original civil War era boy's skirt and bodice set and I suspect this is also for a young boy toddler but could also be for a girl. Lovely patriotic red and blue wool challis and trimmed in blue silk and lace. Mother of pearl buttons decorate the sleeves and military style back. Overall fair vintage condition. Lots of holes but displays well. One button missing in the back bodice. A pleasing rare gown that displays well in beautiful colors. Buyer to pay shipping at cost. Please view our other items for more Victorian clothing.

From Me:

1876 Fashion Plate via the Bartos Collection

I agree with the seller that this could either be for a boy or a girl. I believe it's from about 1876/1877 by the looks of it.

Little Boy's 1880's Dress

From the seller:

A darling boy’s 1860’s 2 piece white and blue check skirted linen suit. The suit came with an old piece of newspaper that states the suit was worn by Ned. The jacket has two hip pockets that are decorated with buttons. The jacket is unlined and has a back button closure. The skirt is pleated and unlined. The suit is in very good and sturdy condition. There is some very light discoloration and two pea size age spots on the skirt. Shoulders 10 Chest 20 Waist on skirt 22 Sleeve length 13 Skirt length 15.

From Me:

1880's Children's Fashions

The smooth front with the slight volume to the back is more late natural form/early second bustle.   Boys wore dresses until they were potty trained for obvious reasons before the age of the washing machine.

Children's Bodices

From the seller:

A nice group of 1860’s children’s bodices. The first bodice is made of printed cotton. The fabric has a pink and purple floral pattern on a light blue background. The bodice is trimmed with ruffles. The armscyes, center panel and hemline are all piped. The bodice is lined with cotton. It is in good condition. There is some color loss and a few pea size age spots. Shoulders 12 Bust 22 Waist 20. The second bodice is made of blue and white pinstripe silk. It has short cap styled sleeves. The neckline, yoke and sleeves are decorated with burgundy trim. It is lined with cotton and has a back hook and eye closure. The neckline, armscyes and waist are piped. Shoulders 13 Bust 23 Waist 23. It is in good condition. There is a dime size age spot on the front of the bodice. The third bodice is made of light red printed cotton. It has short cap sleeves that are trimmed with white cotton braiding. It is in good condition. There are a couple of light colored pea size age spots. The bodice is unlined and has a back button closure. Shoulders 8 Bust 20 Waist 20.

From Me:

Although I think the red one is 1860's, I think the other two are 1850's.

Both the above fashion plates are from 1857. The first one shows several dress bodices with that V-shaped front similar to the white bodice. The second fashion plate shows a sleeve very similar to the white bodice as well.

Childern's Dresses from the Natural Form Era

From the seller:

Being offered are two 1890-1900 girls dresses. The first dress is made of light blue and tan plaid cotton fabric. There is no discoloration on the fabric just shadows created by the camera flash. The collar and sleeve cuffs are trimmed with lace. The dress is unlined and has a front button closure. The front closure is trimmed with two rows of decorative buttons. The dress is in very good condition. There are no holes. There is a small break in the lace trim on the collar. Shoulders 11 Bust 26 Loose fitting wait 28 Sleeve length 13 Length from shoulder to hem 29. The second dress is made of tan linen and trimmed with bands of darker brown cotton. The armscyes are trimmed with dark brown piping. The dress has two front pockets and a tie belt. It is unlined and has a front button closure. There are a few tiny holes in the fabric and one small pea size hole in the collar. There is discoloration on one sleeve and on the lower edge of the hemline. This can be seen in the photos. Shoulders 12 ½ Bust 25 Loose fitting waist 26 Sleeve length 13 Length from shoulder to hem 25.

From Me:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charmainezoe/5538627980/

The above is a fashion plate from 1881. The elongated waist and the double row of buttons - as well as the big bow on the bum- are all signs these dresses are at least a good ten years older than the seller believes.  I'm not entirely sure these are for a little girl either - boys wore dresses for a very practical reason until they were potty trained. 

1860's Child's Dress

From the seller:

A precious boy’s 1860’s tan cotton dress that was originally worn by Harold Kniskern. The dress is decorated with navy blue embroidery. It has short tulip style sleeves. The skirt is attached to the waist with cartridge pleating. It is unlined and has a back button closure. There is one missing button and scattered age spotting mostly to the skirt. (See photo.) Shoulders 11 Bust 22 Waist 20 Skirt length 13.

From Me:

This is too cute!

Little Boy's (?) Bustle Era Dress

From the seller:

A darling child’s 1880’s two piece tan cotton bustle dress. The long tunic styles bodice and skirt are trimmed with bands of blue cotton. The bodice has one side pocket and a scalloped hemline. The pocket and hemline are trimmed with blue. The bodice has a front button closure. The skirt has a ruffled hemline. The bodice and skirt are unlined. The bodice has a front button closure. There is one missing button but the button on the pocket could be used for replacement. The dress is in good condition. There are a few pencil tip size holes in the skirt. There are a few small age spots on the front of the bodice and two dime size spots on the skirt that are hidden by the bodice. Shoulders 11 Bust 22 Waist 24 Skirt length 15 ½. It is being displayed over a bustle pad that is not included.

From Me:

Given the length, the size, the colors, and the decorations, I'm thinking a small boy wore this.

Toddler Boy's Plaid Dress

From the seller:

A terrific original post Civil War circa 1866 boy's brown woven plaid cotton tunic style shirt with a box pleat to the center front, one patch pocket, drop shoulders to the full sleeves, and a back China buttons closure with buttons that repeat at the cuffs, and an attached back belt. 12" from shoulder to shoulder, a loose fitting 30" chest and waist, and 18" from shoulder to front hem. In good sound as found condition, with some organic spots below the the front of the collar and near the hem, a few pin dot to 1/4" holes at the shoulder tops on the back, and one 1 1/2" slit to the underside of one sleeve near the armscye. All is reflected in the reserve price for this rare surviving circa 1866 boy's shirt.

From Me:

To me, it looks more 1870's. The sleeve set and the way it's cut are more natural form era type sewing techniques than what we would expect to see just after the American Civil War. Little Boys wore dresses until they were potty trained due to not having washing machines around or plastic diaper covers.

Child's Tiger Shoes

From the seller:

For sale: Antique vintage 1920's Baby or Child's Oriental Silk Red Cloth Shoes as is. The shoes are made out of what I believe is silk with accent thread designs and long tassles. The shoes are small, for a baby or young child. They measure at the bottom about just under 4 1/2 inches long by about 1 3/4 inches at the widest part. They are stuffed to give them shape with just a tissue. They are in used condition. There is over all age wear, stains and damage. Still very pretty even with the wear and still can be displayed. Thanks, Meg


From Me:

Honestly, I'm posting these because I think they are cute. :-) You can read a bit about "tiger shoes" here.