Gay Ninties Maternity (?) Outfit

From the seller:

1890's Green & Bronze 2 pc. Dress: This dress is made of a wool fabric. the background is a deep forest green and it has a bronze colored figure on it. I am including the lovely lace collar because it was in the box with it. It is not attached. The bust of the dress is 32, the waist is 26 and the skirt length is 40. There are no hooks and eyes on the skirt. The bodice is made in an unusual way. I wonder if it was for maternity. The first pictures have the bodice tucked in, and the last pictures have the bodice hanging free. The under shell of the bodice is cotton and is in good condition. When it is buttoned the the waist is 26 and the bust is 32. If you didn't button the under bodice and just pinned the outer bodice together you would have much more space. The waist band of the skirt is several inches larger than the waist of the under bodice. There are some small holes in the wool of the bodice, most of them get lost in the folds. The general condition of the dress is good. It makes a nice display and is strong enough to wear. The bidding will start at .99. Will quote reserve upon request.



From Me:

It's not supposed to have a bustle under there. See how odd it looks with a pillow shoved up under the skirt? However, I agree that it might have been meant for maternity. The fitted back but loose front suggest it was meant for a growing tummy. ;-)

Burgundy Bustle Dress

From the seller:

Description: c.1882 2pc Bustle gown in a burgundy silk brocade and taffeta. The dart fitted andboned bodice has a stand collar and amazing irridescent purple metal buttons down the front. Long, set in sleeves are two piece and end with decorative cuffs and bows on the outer sleeves. Dart fitted around the hips with a fan pleated section at the center back and a little knot decoration on top. The gored skirt falls from a narrow waistband with a brocade panel down the front and the remainder in the taffeta. Shirred apron drape across the front from the side seams. The side panels have pleats on either side of the center front with a faux underskirt edged in a knife pleat ruffle along the hemline. Draped bustle panel down the back is shirred down the side seams. Puddle train falls from the skirt lining, under the bustle, and has a white lace trimmed dust ruffle along the edge.
Label: None

Condition: There are repairs to the shattered lining in the bodice. The skirt waistline has been altered, probably for strengthening, by adding a panel of vintage cotton around the top. Some of the button holes have pulled, but not torn through. Two 1/2" splits on the left side skirt.

Size: Bust-34, Waist-28



From Me:

That fan on the back is awesome!

Lavender and Green Plaid Ante-Bellum dress

From the seller:

1850's Lavender & Taupe Silk Plaid Dress: This lovely dress dates to the late 1850's. Aren't you just amazed by the cartridge pleating that they did. It is made of a lavender and taupe silk plaid. The taupe almost becomes a soft silver in some lights. It has huge bell shaped sleeves. It has splits and deterioration through out and the fabric is brittle with age. There is underarm deterioration. It would be for careful display or design. It has golden silk fringe and there is one inch that will have to be sewn back. It has what I would call a "out of a trunk smell". You can just sense the 150 years of adventure when you smell that smell. Some people are offended by it, but I am not. When I open an old box or trunk and see old fabrics I can't wait to see what treasures await. The lining of the bodice is in good condition, and the lining of the skirt has wear. The bust is 29, the waist is 23, the skirt length is 42 and around the bottom of the skirt is measures 160.

From Me:

I almost want to say "Mardi Gras!!!!!!" but the official colors for Mardi Gras weren't made official until 1872. This dress is clearly from a good 20 years before that. The colors are just so cheery it's hard to believe this wasn't for some sort of fun party.

Blue Civil War Era Dress

From the seller:

1860's Blue & Black Promenade Ensemble: What a striking color combination. This civil war era dress was beautifully constructed. The bust is 32, the waist is 21, the skirt length in front is 47 and the skirt around the bottom measures 170. The black silk is suppose to line up from the bodice to the skirt. If I had a little smaller dress form it would have done so. The dress was purchased from a museum collection and has the following no. inside the bodice. 47.168-2 It was donated to the museum between 1950 and 1960. The condition of the bodice is poor. There is much splitting of silk , three lost buttons, the seams have let loose in places and there is wear and holes and some age discoloration. The lining is in excellent condition. The skirt is in fair condition. There are two seams that have let loose and will need to be sewn back. I have safety pinned them together to photograph them. One black silk banding needs to be attached at the top of the skirt. There are spots on the back of the skirt and the front of the skirt. See photos. The waist band is worn and needs stabilizing. The fabric has some discoloration but is in sound condition. There are spots and wear at the hem line. With all its problems I still love it. I recently took it to the Harrington House Museum for a lecture on American fashion. It looked beautiful with a black chantilly shawl.

From Me:

This must have been quite the beauty in it's day! The colors are simple but the contrast is striking.

"I'm too young to be a widow!"

From the seller:

1850's -1860's Civil War Era Black Silk Dress: This is a stunning gown made of silk taffeta from the late 1850's to the early 1860's. It could be a mourning dress. There are five tiers of ruffles on the skirt and the bodice has full sleeves trimmed in silk ruffles. It is a one piece dress. The bust is 31, the waist is 23 and the skirt length in front is 42. The bottom of the skirt is 142 inches around. The dress could be used for design or pattern or could display well with a shawl draped artistically to hide the multitude of flaws. There is extensive wear and splitting to the bodice especially on the shoulders. There are some holes in the sleeves as well. The skirt is just beautiful, very full with the rows of ruffles on the bottom but it also has splits and small holes. The back has less damage than the front. The lining also has damage in the bodice as well. I have tried to photograph the worst of the damage. With all of its problems it still is beautiful. The bidding will start at .99 with no reserve. Please check our other vintage pieces on auction.

From Me:

You know that scene right after Scarlett O'Hara's first husband dies? Yeah, so that.

1890's Green Outfit

From the seller:

DESCRIPTION:
- High collar.
- Winged lapels.
- Pouter Pigeon, boned bodice.
- Stunning, leg o’ mutton sleeves.
- Long, full skirt.
- Breathtaking detailing throughout.
- Garment is made of copper brown, silk fabric. Fabric is in excellent condition.
- Garment fastens with hook and eye closures. Abalone buttons on jacket are decorative.
- Garment is lined.

Credit Cards Now Accepted!

CIRCA: 1890s

LABEL/MAKER: N/A

CARE TAG: N/A

SIZE TAG: N/A

CONDITION: This garment is in VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT vintage condition with no stains, odors or holes. There are some very minor tears to lining of jacket where the boning/stays end (please see last photo); just a few stitches needed in some areas of seam separation (please see last photo); the decorative trim/ribbon needs to be stitched back in place on bottom of skirt (please see last photo).


Fits like a modern size: 0 to 2, but please consider fit by actual measurements of garment listed below.

MEASUREMENTS:

JACKET:
Bust/Chest: 32" (81.28 cm)
Waist: 26" (66.04 cm)
Top of garment to bottom of garment: 19" (48.26 cm)

SKIRT:
Waist: 26" (66.04 cm)
Hips: Free
Top of garment to bottom of garment: 43"" (109.22 cm)

From Me:

The asymmetrical front is just darling!

Edwardian Bodice Unfinished

From the seller:

For auction is an antique Victorian black mourning corset or bodice or whatever. The following measruements were taken with the item laying flat and they are APPROXIMATE. Shoulder to shoulder 15", underarm to underarm 16"; sleeves 23"; height 12". The sleeves and the top half are a delicate black lace. Sleeves have folds in the lace and the bust area has a cotton lining. Cotton lining has a drawstring. Bottom half is a solid black fabric that is 7" high with a 2" hem. There are several small sequins sewn on. The lace netting is in wonderful condition, especially considering its delicate nature. There are 2 tears along the hem on the bottom of one sleeve and one tear on the hem at the bottom of the other sleeve. Also, a 2" break in the lace netting towards the neck area-please see my last 2 photos for a close up of this area. Soild black fabric does have a 1/2" slit and a 1/2" hole in the fabric. These are the largest of the flaws on this part- the rest are all smaller holes which there are quite a few throughout. Because of this, item is being sold AS IS.

From Me:

*headdesk* Don't you love the seller's description? "Corset or bodice or whatever (I don't care! Gimme your money!)". It's not a mourning bodice with those gold spangles on it. My guess is that it's an unfinished Edwardian bodice. I just liked the sleeves.