Fabulous Edwardian Pink Dress

From the seller:

This lovely Edwardian dress is made from a very light weight wool challis in deep pink. It's trimmed with black and has a very beautiful ivory lace yoke and collar. The yoke and collar are excellent. The wool has some small holes and scattered spots, the belt is replaced, the yoke and collar are excellent, there's wear on the covered buttons,the collar has some small holes and the edges need to be hemmed, hook-eyes loose or missing, patches were put under the arms, they look ok, some poorly done seams, etc. Overall the dress is sturdy enough that it could be worn, but should be repaired first or use for salvage. It measures 34 inches around the bust, across the back shoulder is 13 1/2, waist is 22, hips are 40 and it's 58 inches long. As is

From Me:

And this one is going in the need to make pile of ideas....




Both fashion plates are from 1908.  The one on the left has a red dress with buttons down the side like this pink one.  The one on the right has a lilac/bluish/no idea what to call that color dress that has a similar bodice to the extant one.  

Teen's Era Summer Dress

From the seller:

Beautifully handmade cotton, eyelet embroidered dress from the Edwardian era with a pink flower velvet corsage. Very nice workmanship throughout entire dress. Dress does show some wear. It has some stains throughout as well as a few holes. There are two patches underneath each armpit, as well as holes. A few spots on the bottom are frayed from where it looks like it was walked on, it has been mended on one of those spots. There are also a few missing clasps on back. Pink velvet corsage has been stored in a plastic bag and shows wear and stains from adhesive that was used. This dress is truly beautiful and a wonderful item that shows the time and quality work that people used to put into clothes. Very well made and in good shape, especially for age. Please see pictures as they are part of the description. Item is dated 1900s and comes from an extensive collection of nice late 1800's/ early 1900's attire. Items have been very well cared for and many have been marked with dates and names of people/family who wore them. Many more items will be listed in the coming months. Shipping for this item: $4.00 in USA.
Approximate measurements are:
Chest (measured on back from under arm seam to under arm seam): 15"
Length in front: 52"
Length in back: 52"

From Me:

It's a bit after the Edwardian era, probably 1913. I love this style though. And you would have worn a slip beneath it. I wish people would still wear slips today so I wouldn't see that the girl two pews ahead of me in Church is wearing lovely aqua underwear beneath her white eyelet skirt. Mirrors, people. Mirrors.

Edwardian Dickie

From the seller:

This is an antique "Dickie", or under blouse. It is covered with soutache embroidery on a cream cotton sleeveless garment. It has bad fading on the tan trim and some discoloration under the underarms. Great for a photo shoot, or theatre costume. Would have been worn with a corset of course. Measurements are approx 32" bust, 22" waist, 18" total length. I do not price returns, so please ask questions before you purchase. Thank you kindly.

From Me:

This was probably for a teenager to make her outfits more modest in the late Edwardian age. By 1908, the high necks finally started to fall out of favor. My guess is this was either part of a dress and ripped out, or worn beneath as a "modesty" panel. Either way, by the 1910's, such things were rare.

Early 1870's White Bustle Era Dress

From the seller:

An exceptional 1870’s white stripe cotton 3 piece summer seaside ensemble that has been de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fabric has a stripe pattern that has a raised dotted pattern. The ensemble consists of a bodice, bustled over skirt and underskirt. The bodice has a flared hip peplum that is trimmed with lace. The sleeve cuffs are also trimmed with lace. The bodice is unlined and has a front button closure. The over skirt is bustled at the back and has a long apron front. There are ties on the inside for adjusting the bustle affect. The hemline is trimmed with lace. The underskirt has a wide ruffle bottom that is trimmed with lace. The overskirt and underskirt are both unlined. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There is one small peas size hole on the back of the bodice and the under skirt has two I inch holes in the bottom ruffle. There is a soil line on the side of the over skirt. (See photo.) Bust 34 Waist 24 Skirt length 39.

From Me:

The lines of the bodice follow the green dress whereas the lines of the skirt follow the wedding gown. The fashion plate is from 1872. I so want to fluff my skirts like the little girl looking in the mirror. This needs to be the new photo taking trend to replace the shoe shots and Regency Wedgie shots.

Mid 1860's Bronze Dress

From the seller:

A stunning 1860’s bronze and tangerine stripe silk dress that has recently been de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exquisite fabric has a changeable quality from light to dark bronze depending on the light reflection. There is no fading. The wide tangerine stripe has a black floral lace like pattern. The armscyes and waist are piped. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The skirt is fully lined with buckram. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There are a few pencil tip size holes on the back of the bodice and mild underarm discoloration mostly to the inside lining. Bust 34 Waist 26 Skirt length 38 Width at hemline 144.

From Me:

This dress makes me happy. Not because it's any particular style or anything like that - but because I can tell the seamstress that made this one did some of the crazy nonsense I still do when I'm sewing. Who needs a hoopskirt when you have ten yards of buckram on hand? Everything must close in the front! And we aren't even going to get into the whole piecing in the skirt...or the bodice. Or anything.

So why does it look all crazy? Because it's not 1860's. Well, it is, but it isn't. And I really shouldn't type anything after watching Doctor Who....

What it looked like when the Met still owned it. Yeah, I have no idea what happened to the black fringe either. Anyway - it was original 1840's (look at those shoulders!) that was remade in the 1860's. ...and that probably explains the buckram because in the early 1840's, they still hadn't completely figured out the whole "how do I make my skirts balloon out without standing over a vent?" thing. Not that they had central air either....

Yeah, shouldn't type after watching Doctor Who...

1920's Black Beaded Dress

From the seller:

Christopher Dresser a prolific designer and design theorist created forms and ornament for a wide range of manufacturers from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. He was inspired by botanical forms and the arts of Japan, Persia, Peru, Egypt, Mexico and Morocco, these diverse inspirations resulted in an amazing array of unique and highly original designs. He worked towards the end of his life designing wallpaper and textiles. After his death his daughters took over his design studio but were unable to keep it running for very long. This rare dazzling beaded dress is labelled “Dresser, Paris” and dates to the 1920s and is likely to be a Christopher Dresser textile design inspired by Persian mosiacs.

Beautiful interlocking design elements in an overall pattern done with seed beads and bugle beads. All in inky black beads on a black smooth silk. Unlined in excellent sparkling condition with a very few loose beads and a small portion of the hem out. Impressive beauty!! Chest measures 42" graduating slightly at hips to 46" with a length of 50". Weighs 4 lbs.

From Me:
Dresser's heyday was in the 1870's/1880's - he was a contemporary of Worth, really. And he died in 1904. So...yeah. Most likely not one of his designs unless he had the most amazing psychic abilities and was able to predict what styles would look like a good 20~25 years after his death.

In all reality, I'm a little hesitant to post this one - it looks like it *might* be a 1980's wannabe 1920's but I'm leaning way more to the 1920's side.

1911 Silk Blouse

From the seller:

My grandmother wore this blouse for her 1911 wedding. Classic Edwardian style. The silk is failing, however the lace is in good shape. This is an excellent candidate to re-use the lace and deconstruct the silk body to develop an authentic design.


From Me:

Based on the style, 1911 makes sense. However, I doubt it was part of a wedding gown - more likely part of the trousseau.