Late Edwardian/ Early Teen's Era Dress

From the seller:

Antique sheer cotton? dress in good condition has some wear and stains see pics. I got this from a antique steamtrunk. Dress is very light and airy.


From Me:

Since the seller gives us almost nothing...

The dress appears to be out of a light voile cotton print. In some of the photos, you can make out small leaf-y branches. The lack of a collar but still high neckline was popular at the end of the Edwardian and into the early Teen's era. What marks this as early Teen's is the sleeves - the fitted sleeve coming down about to the elbow with a bit of a ruff. For an Edwardian dress, with this closure and that neckline, you would expect a fuller sleeve.

Probably about 1911-1912. There is a similar printed dress in this 1912 fashion plate in the upper right hand corner. It has the same neckline and sleeve style as well as a similar print look.

1912 fashion Print

The lady seated in the print has a dress on with a similar neckline and a side closure like the extant gown.

Super Cute Edwardian Bodice

From the seller:

Vintage Victorian Edwardian Bodice Black XS VGC Top LACE B32 FANCY Sequins

yoke and cuffs lavender satin with black lace, sequins

3" standing collar

matellase fabric

curved surplice opening with large black satin bow

boning



Bust 32"

Shoulder width 13"
Sleeves 23"
Length 16"
Waist 22"

From Me:

I can easily see this being a modern winter evening out blouse - just make the neckline sheer rather than having the lavender and pair it with a bright color satin a-line skirt. As is, it's Turn of the Century.

1901 Fashion Plate

1920's Lace and Embroidered Afternoon Dress

From the seller:

This dress is bring relisted because the winning bidder actually said she tore it as she was trying it on. The measurements were in the description, and I don't understand why someone would try to squeeze into an antique 1920s dress. Anyway, it is not torn too badly, and I have taken pictures of the torn areas that are on the underskirt or covered up by the sash. It is a beautiful elegant 1920s embroidery and lace dress that has a crepe silk underslip with 22 crocheted tiny buttons going down the front. It also has an 8" wide sash that ends in a side bow. It measures 43" long, 40" bust and 50" hips. It has some age light staining that will come out with professional cleaning because of its delicacy. I am selling "as is" with no returns. It is still a gorgeous dress!

From Me:

I actually have a long width of fabric with a very similar embroidery pattern from the 1920's - I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the silk was bought embroidered and the lady simply cut it out, added lace, and made the rest into a dress.

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.  

1920's Black (Blue?) Crape Dress

From the seller:

This is so gorgeous! I bought this in a vintage clothing store in the mid-1980's and only wore it a couple times. It has been in storage in a climate-controlled, acid-free environment since about 1988. This is in pristine condition for its age. I believe it is silk. And I am pretty sure the belt buckle is celluloid, but it might be bakelite. Not sure. The quality of this is amazing - lots of hand stitching and just gorgeous. Classic 1920's dress - the real thing.

This is truly an incredible find! It has been very well preserved and cared for. It is approximately a size 6. I don't sew, and am hesitant to post measurements as I don't do those very well.

Please ask any questions before bidding. Remember that pictures are part of the description, and that with any vintage item, it is not brand new. Thank you.

Thanks for your questions. This is truly an incredible dress - it is so well made and there are a couple tiny tiny pinholes (about 3) when you hold it up to the light - pics added here. this is such a great example of a 1920's dress and in very good condition for its age. Measurements are:
Navy 20s drop waist
Some Pinholes
Shoulder-17 1/2
Bust- 42
Waist - 38
Hip- 38

From Me:

Although I'm sure it looks Navy Blue to our eyes today, I believe it was original black that simply faded over time. I've had items that I swore up and down were black until many washes and years later and they've become a very dark blue or very dark brown. It's pretty normal with the dark colors.

I'm also not sure if this one is silk - I really think this was a mourning dress. The Victorian rules for mourning were going away at this point but some of the upper classes still practiced them as well as being popular in more Catholic countries. A wool crape would make perfect sense for a mourning dress. There is already an excellent article up on mourning practices to include an excerpt from 1922's Vogue. The white trim would be acceptable a few weeks after the funeral.