Corset cover and Bicycle Trousers

From the seller:

Here is an antique pair of pedal pusher pantaloons with abalone shell buttons up the side. There is also a small pocket at the waist. There are some rusty like spots on the backside near the waist.the material is a tiny ribbed cotton.
Includes lacy white bralette with blue ribbon.

From Me:

Although I think most viewers of this blog will instantly recognize the corset cover for what it is, the bicycle trousers are a slightly different story. Some clues that they are bicycle trousers and not bloomers - the buttons, the pocket, the side button opening, and the lack of a "split" at the crotch. The shape (puffy thighs!) are also a huge hint. Really cool!

For some examples of bicycle trousers in period, check out Margaret Perry's post for a really cool photo from 1900 with ladies wearing trousers. Yesterday's thimble also has a picture up from Punch magazine circe 1895 of a lady wearing bicycle trousers - ones that are very similar in shape to this extant one!

Early 20th Century Split Skirt

From the seller:

This is a riding skirt, the wide "gaucho" style pants hidden by a buttoned panel in front. It also fastens at the sides with hooks and eyes. The pleat at the center back also helps to disguise the pants, though they're not covered by a panel in back.
It's unlined, fabric is a rich brown and beige heathered suiting wool with a smooth, not wooly, finish. Color is much nicer than the pictures show.

It measures 27" around at the waist, it's 43 1/4" long.

Very good overall, with some holes visible when the fabric is held to the light, the busy pattern camouflages most of them. There is a quarter-sized patch inside near the top of the waist, this shows through to the outside as a small repair, also camouflaged by the busy pattern. There is a handprint-sized area of surface wear, with some minor color loss. C.1915.

From Me:

Because of the full paneled front, I think these are earlier (Edwardian) than the previous pair I've posted. The previous pair are part of my own collection.

Early 1890's Men's Suit

From the seller:

Very nice, ribbed wool 3 piece suit consisting of a cutaway jacket, vest, and buckle back pants. The jacket is lined with black cotton sateen, except for the sleeves, which are lined with a blue and white striped cotton. The vest and inside waist of the pants are lined with the same blue and white fabric. The vest is backed with black sateen, the buckle incised "Patent, March 13, 1888".

Both jacket and vest are edged with brown silk twilled tape along the edges and pockets. The pants are lined at the waistband.

The jacket has two self covered fabric buttons, one chest pocket outside, two pockets inside at the chest, two inside pockets at the tails. There is black seam binding and 3 buttons at each sleeve.

The vest has 4 pockets, five self covered fabric buttons, front pockets are lined with velveteen.

The pants have a flared leg, with a stiff cotton band at the inside cuff to reinforce. Buttons are Solide, the buckle in back is also marked Solide. There is a gusset in back, the back pockets are curved, the side pockets also have a slight curve along the edge.

The jacket measures 41" around at the chest, 15 1/2" between the shoulder seams in back, sleeve is 27" long, measured from the top to the wrist. It's 35" long from the collar seam to the bottom edge.

The pants have a 37" waist, 42 " hem, 30" inseam.

The vest has an approximately 1" insert at each side which seems to have been added later, though the fabric matches the backing. It measures 43" around at the chest, is 21" long measured in back.

Please note that these are outside measurements.

The jacket has one button with fraying along the edges, one tiny hole at the back towards the waist, the slightest, 1/2" area with minor fray at one wrist, this is hard to spot. There is some minor discoloration to the sleeve lining.

The vest has some water type or age staining towards the front and back shoulder area, no splits, weak areas, or holes.

The pants have some discoloration to the lining and pockets, a few of the waistband buttons have some paint loss.

A very well made, substantial suit, in just about a good a condition as you will find. There is little or no shininess, fading, or matting to the ribbed fabric.

Hello, could the pants be lengthened? If so, by how much? Thanks! Jul-04-13
A: Hello - Thanks for your interest in the suit. The hem is about 1 1/2", so you would have about an extra inch or so to lengthen, if you allowed about 1/2" for the new hem. Please write again if you have further questions. Best, Sue



From Me:

First, the person that asked that question at the end needs to be re-educated, badly. We do not wear 120+ year old suits, period. Think of clothing as a skin. When you are 120 years old, your skin is quite delicate and very different from when you were born or even middle aged.

Second, I think this is probably a couple of years later than the buckle date. Here is a fashion plate from 1891 showing a very similar jacket cut.

Edwardian Split Skirt

From the seller:

Montgomery Ward Ranch Split Skirt Riding Culottes Pants Western Palazzo Gaucho

Antique / vintage.

Women's culottes.

A strange butterscotch-brown-green color. Honestly, it is the color of baby poop.

Very Western-looking.

Eight brown buttons down each leg.

When the vertical flap is buttoned on the right, from the front these look like pants. When the flap is buttoned to the left, from the front it looks like a long skirt.

The garment is put on by unbuttoning the top three buttons on each side, then stepping in.

For horseback-riding, ranch work, possible bicycle pants.

These pants are enormous. Very wide legs, roomy seat. The only thing with definition is the waist. (Measurements are below.)

These are old and as such have some small stains, holes, patches, frays, etc.

This comes from the estate of a woman who worked as a Clothing Restorer for various museums throughout the Midwest. As such, she may have made repairs and / or additions to the garment which I am unaware of.

Approximate measurements:
Across the waist, laying flat = 12.5"
Therefore, waist = 25"
Front rise (crotch seam to waist) = 13.25"
Rear rise (crotch seam to waist) = 13.5"
Inseam = 26"
Leg opening = 29" across, laid flat




From Me:

These are mine now. :-) I was so excited to get the split skirt since they tend to be very rare. The twill is a yellowish khaki and it's rather thin - summer weight. The split skirt was much loved in the day with a bunch of repairs to various holes and tears. It's clearly from the 1910's in person.

Ladies Trousers

From the seller:

This offering is for an original pair of military style ladies knickers. The trousers are similar to those worn by different club type organizations just after the turn of the century and thet may have in fact been their original use. The material is a fairly heavy khaki colored cotton twill. There are no size or makers tags present but I would estimate the size to be a ladies small, the actual current measurement are as follows:


Full diamater of the waist 25"
The outseam measures 27"
The inseam measures 17½"
The maximum hip diameter is app 45"
The trousers feature button sides with all of the buttons still in place except of one that ius missing as well as button cuffs at the bottom of each leg with both of the buttons present. The overall condition is excellent but there is an area of some snagging near the bottom of one leg as seen in our close-up photo's. Otherwise the condition is very nice with only minor wear and soiuling as would be expected for the age and original use of the garment. This great Vintage Pair of Ladies Knickers will make an excellent addition to someone's collection, shouldn't it be yours!!! If any further assistance is needed just drop us a note with any questions you may have and I will respond ASAP.  

From Me:
This is probably from the 1920's. The trousers are ladies based on the button placement.

Mid 19th Century Men's Trousers

The trousers folded up

According to this, these pants did belong to a doctor. I was wondering why the title was called "Doctor's Pants"

From the seller:

up for bid is an antique/vintage pair of custome made Dr's pants in amazing condition!!! Laying flat the waist measures 14 1/2" wide, hips 20 1/2" wide, rise is 12 1/2" and the inseam is 31 1/2". Thanks for looking!

From me:

I'm thinking mid century based on the side treatments for these pants. They may be later. The pictures were mostly of close up and none of the pants laid out so I'm not sure what the overall look to them is -giving no clues as to the exact decade!