American Civil War Era Printed Dress

From the seller:

A charming 1860’s green, gray and white plaid open weave cotton dress. The bodice is decorated with bands of black velvet ribbon trim. The front of the bodice is trimmed with black velvet decorative buttons. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The neck, armscyes and waist are piped. The skirt is unlined except for a wide band of cotton at the edge of the hemline. The dress is in very good condition. There are no holes or splits in the fabric. There is mild underarm discoloration mostly to the inside cotton lining and age discoloration on the lining along the edge of the hemline. A very sweet display dress. Bust 32 Waist 24 Skirt length Width at hemline 130.

From Me:

A nice simple but smart looking dress.

Sweet 1870's Bustle Era Dress

From the seller:

A delightful 1870’s cotton print bustled day dress. The fabric has a small red flower pattern that is surround by gay leaves. The background has a gray and white stripe pattern. The dress is decorated with red cotton bands. The bodice is uniquely designed with a faux polonaise front that is edged with ruffles. It has a side umbrella pocket and the center back is trimmed with cotton bows. There is also a small hidden watch pocket near the hip area. The bodice is lined with cotton and the skirt is unlined. The skirt has a long back sweep. The dress has a front button closure. The dress is in very good condition. There is no underarm discoloration and no holes. There is some light age spotting on the inside lining only and a couple of soil marks on the edge of the back train. There is a three inch period mend by the hidden watch pocket. A very pretty display dress. Bust 34 Waist 26 Front skirt length 38 Back length 54.

From me:

I almost think this might have been a maternity dress based on the side shape but it's hard to tell. Very interesting dress, nonetheless.

Edwardian Summer Dress

From the seller:

Edwardian EMbroidered Cotton Tea / Lawn Dress w-28

This pretty Edwardian tea dress is made from a semi sheer cotton with a gauze texture. It has dolman sleeves with embroidery and lace, a lace ruffle around the neck and a wide embroidered border around the hem. It needs hooks and eyes and the few remaining are rusty, leaving small rust spots behind them. It has ohne very small hole on the back of the bodice, and some worn spots on the front edge where it borders the front panel. Otherwise in very good condition. It measures 28 inches around the waist, bust is approx. 48, hips are full and it's 55 inches long.


From Me:

Nice, simple, late Teens era summer dress.

Vibrant Purple 1880's Skate Coat

From the seller:


DESCRIPTION:

Rare vibrant purple wool ladies fancy winter sporting jacket, with wonderful exaggerated period fashion details. Fitted shape with top stitched shaping seams. Wonderful dome shaped faceted jet buttons, missing two on front, angled side faux pockets angled slightly to the back. Flared back with two more of the domed buttons, these could be moved to the front and I have two close match buttons that i will include in the sale, these could be put at the back. Unlined, with strange little silk backed v shaped vestigial hood thing at the back. In good antique uncleaned as found condition, the wool is a plush that is stretchy a bit.

MEASUREMENTS:

Chest measures 34", waist 24", length 26", sleeves 20".


From Me:

...I feel the need to go buy bright purple wool coating now....

Fun with ribbons, the Edwardian way!

From the seller:



Authentic 1890s Wedding Bodice

White dotted cotton net with ivory silk satin ribbon

Lined in white cotton

Open high neckpiece,( not sure how it was worn)

Faint spot on shawl collar, small sang, 3/8" hole and stain on sleeve

otherwise in wonderful condition

Small size, approximate measurements, 30" bust, 21"waist



From Me:

Not for a wedding or from the 1890's. Just a nice bodice/blouse from the 1900's.

Most Fabulous Natural Form Era Dress

From the seller:

Fantastic 1870's Polonaise 2 piece bustle dress of a rich tan silk with blonde champagne colored lace. The bodice is trimmed around the neckline frosted bugle and white beading. The outer neckline is trimmed with blonde lace. Across the middle of the bodice is a v shaped plastron that has beading and lace all around. It is ruched and it covers the button holes and mother of pearl buttons that closes the bodice. Inside bodice are 7 stays and petersham. Upper part of bodice is lined and finely tailored. Lots or gathers to get that pannier look to lower part of bodice. The sleeves are trimmed with beading and lace.

Bodice is in very good condition for age with holes in lace around the inside of neck, it seems the beading may have caused some of the lace damage as the lace folds over the beading. Tiny area of beading needs to be tacked - may be bead or two missing. End piece of lace is torn at bottom on inside not seen and easy fix. there is under arm discoloration Couple of pin holes / scratches to silk on the bottom gathered area, not easily seen even when looking. Needs eye hook to attach plastron to opposite side, I could not locate any thread loops or hook.

Skirt is as lovely. I had only a bustle and no petticoat on mannequin, so front would be a bit fuller. Front of skirt is rows of gathered silk alternating with the blond lace, last row of silk is pleated. It has a large eye hook for closure. The top center of back of skirt is cotton and then at bottom there is the matching silk which has 2 gathered rows and pleats at bottom. There are a couple of ties which may correspond to the inside of bustle. The inside of the skirt is lined with both a heavy and regular cotton. There is a covered bar with belt, I am guessing for the bustle to be held in. The bottom of lining is trim with double pleats and lace edging, very nice.
Excellent condition with a 3 x 1.5 inch spot on upper part of silk in the back that cannot be seen as the long bustle covers it. The lining lace has 2 inch tear, can be sewn up.

Measures bust 32 inches , waist 25 inches, length of skirt 43-44inches, sleeves length from seam + lace 15.5 inches, shoulder to shoulder across back 14 inches at drop shoulder.


From Me:

Please, no drool on the dress. Probably about 1879/1880.

Pale Pink Teens Era Dress

From the seller:

This auction is for a most exquisite late 1800's Victorian, early 1900's Edwardian silk & lace reception dress. In exceptional condition for it's age. This designer dress still has it's early Filene's store label sewn within the inner waist corset band. If you are a Filene's collector, I will be listing several Filene's early pieces from this well to do Woodstock, VT estate. The dress is a soft pink silk with netted ecru bodice with ruffle. The net lace neckline is trimmed in sweet pink silk rosettes alternating with green silk ribbon ties...some green silk yellowing and wear. Matching ruffled netted lace trims each sleeve. Matching ruched pink waistband. The left dress side has a sweeping pink silk tail with glass beaded tassel. The front bodice features hand blown glass buttons painted to resemble pearls. The dress is missing three buttons. The attached underskirt is a fine ecru lace. This elegant vintage dress does need to be cleaned as there is some age yellowing...primarily netted upper bodice & upper silk back with some age spots lower front draped skirt. This will easily clean up. There are no worn areas or holes found. Early hook & eye closure up the back.

This fetching antique Downton Abbey era dress measures as follows:

Bust: 32 inches

Waist: 20 inches

Hips: 34 inches
Underarm to lower hemline: 47 inches


From Me:

I'm not sure how this got confused with an early reception dress - this is a nice day dress from the 1910's - probably about 1915. Also, hook & eye closures have been around since at least the middle ages so....