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.  

Turn of the Century Pink Swiss Dot Outfit

From the seller:

DATING TO THE VICTORIAN TURN OF THE CENTURY

FASHIONED OF A SHEER INDIA MUSLIN IN BRIGHT PINK WITH A SMALL PRINT PATTERN AND EMBROIDERED DOT DETAIL

THE BODICE IS HEAVILY RUCHED ON TOP IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR

EMBROIDERED RUFFLES AT THE TOP COLLAR AND BOTTOM EDGE

DRAW STRING AT THE BOTTOM EDGE

SKIRT IN FULL FORM WITH PLEATS TRIMMING THE BOTTOM EDGE, SEVERAL SPOTS NEED THE PLEATS TACKED BACK, STITCHING HAS COME FREE SLIGHTLY

I CAN TELL THAT THE GOWN WAS OVERDYED AT ONE TIME, CANNOT TELL WHEN. THE TELL TALE SIGNS ARE THE EMBROIDERED TRIMS AND THE LINEN WAISTLINE. COLOR IS COMPLETELY EVEN AND HARD TO TELL, I WOULD ADD WHITE LACE OR EYELET TO OFFSET, REMOVING OR ADDING TO THE TRIM OF THE COLLAR AND CUFFS.

THE UNDERARM OF ONE SIDE HAS THE HOLES PICTURED, SEAMS WOULD FULLY RESOLVE

ONE THUMBPRINT OF A WHITE SPOT IS AT THE SIDE FRONT SKIRTING.

CONDITION IS OTHEWISE EXCELLENT, FULLY STRONG AND WEARABLE







MEASUREMENTS IN INCHES:
BODICE:
CHEST: 34
WAIST: 22-26
LENGTH: 16

SKIRT:
WAIST: 22
LENGTH: 40



From Me:

So...it's displayed horribly. I mean, I'm not even sure what the seller was trying to do.
First, it shouldn't be displayed over a crinoline. That went out of fashion about 30/40 years before this was popular.
Second, the shirt tails should be tucked in. I have no idea why they aren't.

1900 Fashion Plate

It's supposed to fall more like the pink dress in the above fashion plate.

Teen's Era Shirtwaist

From the seller:

Antique Victorian Blouse Sheer White Cotton Shirtwaist Button Sleeve Cuffs Lace


Antique shirtwaist blouse / shirt.


Victorian era, circa early 1900s.


Sheer, off-white color.


Lace embellishment.


Snap closure along the front, left chest.


Long sleeves, with upturned cuffs. Each has three snap closures, with decorative buttons on the outside. The left wrist is missing two of its buttons.


Vertical tucks on the back.


Approximate Measurements on mannequin:

Length down the back center, from base of collar to bottom hem: 16"

Armpit to armpit across the front, laid flat: 18"

Armpit seam to wrist: 16"

Shoulder seam to wrist: 20"

Across the front, laid flat, at the waist: 14"


Two missing buttons on the left wrist. Since this is a museum piece, there may be some repairs / modifications that I am unaware of.


I am selling this for a museum in Tombstone, Arizona that has recently closed. I'll be adding dozens of items per month until the project is complete. You can see all of the pieces currently available in my Tombstone AZ Museum Collection.

From Me:

This is a lovely teen's era shirtwaist. I love the pintucks and the use of trims. I'd easily wear something like this today to work.

1917 Fashion Plate

Victorian and Edwardian Bodice and Shirtwaist Lot with Natural Form Overskirt

From the seller:
Lot of Victorian Blouses plus one/two Jackets? with a bustle?. I think most of this belonged to my great grandmother who was very tiny. The pink silk jacket goes with the bustle that I tried to photograph on the chair. To gauge size, the pink jacket measurements are below. I am not a collector, but would say that none of these are in pristine condition - there are brown spits and other blemishes. Please see photos for condition and ask any questions before you bid

Approximate measurements (jacket closed):
Across the top (sleeve seam to sleeve seam): 13 1/2"
Pit to pit: 15", please double

Waist at narrowest point: 12", please double

Length: 18" (taken in the back to the waist, not including the points)

From Me:




Because everything I look at the pink bodice and the lovely lacy Natural Form shirtwaist in comparison to the others, the above is the song I have going through my head. Just sayin'....


For the blouse, scroll down to number 59 for another extant blouse that is similar in cut.

1879 Fashion Plate

The pink dress in the fashion plate may have been the inspiration for the extant bodice and overskirt! It's a lovely color...

As for the rest of the lot:

1904 Fashion Plate from  Wearing History

Probably Edwardian but these styles were worn into the Teen's era so anywhere in the early 20th C.