1870's Plain White Gown

From the seller:

A beautiful 1880’s Princess style bustle wedding dress. The one piece dress is made of ivory silk. The front skirt has a pleated hemline. The dress has a magnificent long train that has a placket hemline and a lace dust ruffle. The dress is lined with cotton and has a back button closure. It is in good and sturdy condition. There are no splits or holes in the fabric. There are under arm repairs and a 3 ½ inch circle soil mark on one of the bottom pleats on the edge of the skirt front. A grand display dress. Bust 34 Waist 24 Front skirt length 40 Back length 71.

From Me:

I *think* this might be one of those Mormon wedding gowns I've seen once in a blue moon. They tend to follow the latest trend but without any flair. This one is following the styles from about 1877.

Conservative 1890's Ball Gown

From the seller:

A lovely 1895 ivory silk two piece wedding dress. The bodice neckline is trimmed with a wide flounce of lace and white silk chiffon. The bodice has full leg of mutton style sleeves. It is lined with cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The skirt is unlined. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There are no splits or holes in the fabric. There is some light underarm discoloration. Bust 32 Waist 24 Skirt length 37. A pretty display dress

From Me:

I'm not so sure it's a wedding dress. It looks like a presentation gown to me with a higher than usual neckline. And although the sleeves are puffy, they aren't leg of mutton (ie, puffy at top, fitted at the bottom).

Natural Form 1870's Era Summer Dress

From the seller:

A fetching 1880’s three piece muslin bustle dress. The ensemble consists of a bodice, over skirt and underskirt. The bodice is lavishly trimmed with lace and has a front button closure. It is lined with cotton and the sleeves are unlined. The overskirt is trimmed with . The underskirt is also trimmed with layered ruffles. The overskirt and under skirt are unlined. The dress is in good and clean condition. The bodice has one small pea size hole on one sleeve. The overskirt and under skirt have some small scatted holes and period mends. The underskirt will need a waistband. The largest med 4 inches is on the bottom ruffle of the under skirt. A lovely display dress. Bust 32 Waist 26 Skirt length 38.

From Me:

I'm not sure how the seller expects that you'd get a bustle under there. With most ladies, when being corseted, a lot of excess goes down making the bum and hips look naturally bigger.

Anyway, it's a natural form outfit from the late 1870's.

Turn of the Century Dress remodeled in the 1930's

From the seller:

Edwardian Embroidered Tea Dress w Lace w- 30 MED

This lovely Edwardian tea dress is made from a fine embroidered cotton and net in ivory. It has a net underbodice with a filet lace collar and front insert. The sleeves are attached to the underbodice and are elaborately embroidere from elbow to wrist. The filet insert buttons closed and it has an embroidered net and cotton overblouse that snaps. The skirt is shirred around the upper hips with 3 rows of piping, the skirt has 2 layers of tulle. The top layer has a fine cotton border, it has embroidery around the bottom. It has a dime size spot on the skirt and is a bit dingy, it needs a gentle soaking. There's a 1/4 inch tear by the hem and a small hole in the gathers between the piping about 1/4 inch across also a few tiny holesl from pin point to pin head. The back of the collar was bound off where it's attached to the neckline with a silk band, the silk is shattering, but easily replaced. It measures It measures 30 inches around the waist, bust is 38, across the back shoulder is 14 and it's 61 inches long. Excellent vintage condition.
Approval for returns must be received within 3 days, as is items are not refundable. I want my customers to be happy with their purchase so please notify me if there is a problem. Thank you so much for your cooperation. I so appreciate your business.


From Me:

So, the tucks on the skirt are consistent with a 1900's date - however the sleeves and the bodice styling are not. Instead, it looks like someone took some satin ribbon to re-enforce the seams after redesigning the bodice to a more 1930's look. They probably took some fabric out of the skirt (it looks narrow to my eye) to make the new sleeves and bodice.

Early 1920's Summer Dress

From the seller:

Fascinating 1920s flapper wedding gown









Authentic flapper ankle length evening gown made of intricate lace, ecru color. It features a tubular silhouette with low waist, raglan sleeves and it is accented with delicate ribbonwork type rosettes. The hips are marked by a flowing scarf tied on the side and a large rosette flower on the opposite side. The scarf is made of silk chiffon, double face, mauve and lilac; all the rosettes are made of mauve and lilac chiffon. There are three snaps on the upper part of each sleeve creating slits. The lace is exquisite and strong.

The dress doesn't have a slip.

There are couple of discrete spots on the dress. The chiffon scarf has many pin dot holes.

Measurements taken flat:

Bust 46"

Hips 40"

Circumference bottom 76"

Length 49"




Excellent antique condition of the lace



Sold as is as found




Happy New Year!








Thank you





Please view my other listings for authentic 1920s flapper and 1930s deco fashion

From Me:

This is what to do with Mom's old lace curtains! :-) Given the hips, this was probably meant for about a modern size 12 or so.

Side note: All my antique clothing ebay auctions are ending this afternoon.

Late 1860's Yellow Bodice

From the seller:

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN, THE PHOTOS ARE PART OF THE DESCRIPTION; This auction is for a very lovely original Victorian pre Civil War 1850s to early 1860s bodice that has lost its way from the skirt. The waistcincher Mdm ? MARIE TRAVER ROBES 2--- du MontThabor 28 PARIS and most likely the original owner, Mrs George Mixter - E. Johnson Scenely. A wonderful shade of dark taupe silk faille fabric decorated with lighter taupe matching fabric and fluted delicate sheer voille around the neckline and sleeve cuffs along with netting tulle around the neckline (it is damaged). Created with 5 short metal stays, there is a very much hand sewn work. Approx measurements are taken layin flat, closed and across; 33" - 34" bust, 24" waist. In overall very good condition, there is some stains, no holes and the buttons are missing. I wonderful acquisition for any serious collector.

From Me:

It's not Civil War. The high waist line and the bustle back tell us that. Here is a fashion plate with a very similar looking jacket from 1868:

This fashion plate is available on ebay right now.

Another Victorian Camo Piece!

From the seller:
Vintage hook and loop bodice. It hooks on side,shoulder and collar. Good condition collar could use some stitching. Very frilly and fancy. Lots of stays on inside. Last bodice from grandmothers trunk. All items sold as is please ask questions. Lower 48 only. Thank you

From Me:
The other late Victorian outfit with this same print. ...I want to make something 1890's now out of a repro of this fabric and ride around on a John Deer, just because.