1880's Bustle Ball Gown in Ice Blue

From the seller:

A beautiful 1880’s ice blue silk bustle ball gown dress that is fresh from a NY estate. The family name was Stuart. The Austrian label reads Holznarth Wien L Karnrhnerstr 40. The fabric has a thin stripe pattern. The bodice has short puffed sleeves. The waist is trimmed with ivory silk moiré ribbon. There is no discoloration on the ribbon just shadows created by the camera flash. The back of the bodice has double lacing areas. It appears like an extra one has been added. The lacing is original to the garment. The bodice is boned and lined with blue silk. The skirt has two side sections made of beige lace and a bustled back. The dress comes with its original long leather evening gloves. The skirt is lined with blue silk. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There is mild circles of underarm discoloration and a 1 inch thumb spot on the front of the skirt near the waist. There is a 1 inch split on the under part of one sleeve and a few small holes under the other arm. Bust 32 Waist 22 Skirt length 39.

From Me:



Both the below fashion plates are from the Bartos Collection and are circa 1886.

1830's Cream Colored Silk Dress

From the seller:

A beautiful 1830’s candlelight satin wedding dress that has been de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The dress is all hand stitched. The bodice bust line is designed with rows of pleating and is padded. The short sleeves have piping at the top and bottom hemline. The neckline and waist are also piped. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a back hook and eye closure. The skirt is unlined except for a band of cotton at the edge of the hemline. The dress is in excellent condition. There is no underarm discoloration. There are a few pencil tip size holes in the skirt. Bust 29 Waist 20 ½ Skirt length 36 ½.

From Me:

From what I can find, this was originally listed on the museum website as 1830s, American or European. Metropolitan Museum of Arts accession no. C.I.46.82.19a, b.

This was an evening dress and probably not a wedding dress. (Dearest sellers, just because it's off white or white doesn't make it a wedding dress!) Actually, given the measurements, I'm guessing this might be a young girl's Confirmation gown. The skirt is short (normal length with be around 40" if not longer) and the measurements are tiny even by their standards. Both boys and girls were required to wear white (sometimes some red) for Confirmation pre Vatican II. Since this normally happens at the age of 12/13, the measurements make perfect sense for Confirmation.

Post WWI/Early 1920's Tea Gown (?)

From the seller:

An antique Edwardian, Titanic era silk floral damask dressing gown that once was gorgeous but is now in poor condition but would be great to use as a pattern or for the two large rosettes that embellish the front. There's a silk belt but the closures are missing and it's a bit short to tie but could be crossed and pinned together with a brooch or rosette. The dress has fringe on the hemline and the sleeves. There's holes throughout, some light discoloration and a large tear/hole on the shoulder that you can see in one of the last photos. The fabric doesn't appear to be weak. Almost forgot to mention, it has a B. Altman & Co. label.
VINTAGE ~ ~

LABEL ~~

FABRIC ~~

MEASUREMENTS ~ ~~

CONDITION ~ ~

From Me:

The shape and the decorations are much later than the seller claims - more 1918 to 1922 ish. It vaugely reminds me of the Fortuny gowns that were still being sold at that point but this has that lovely rosette detail and that crazy fringe as well as it's own unique shape. My guess is it's a tea gown.

Teen's Era Satin and Lace Dress

From the seller:

Circa 1890-1900’s,a pretty silk and lace ladies tea gown with two layers os lace on the skirt and ruched wide ribbon band around the waist.In good condition, beautifully made,a few spots on ribbon ,one at back, MINOR.Measuring apprx. 60" long, apprx. 18-19" across chest,25-27" around waist to include back overlay of ribbon.
All items we list need to be cleaned.

From Me:

1914 Fashion Plate

This is so sweet looking! I think I know what I might make for my Easter dress this year. (It's in March this year! Only a couple of months and a couple of weeks away)

American Civil War Era Plaid Floral Yellow Dress

From the seller:

CIVIL WAR DRESS FITTED BODICE FULL SKIRT
PAGODA SLEEVE

Exceptional silk passementerie, excellent condition

SHOT SILK PLAID SILK TRIM
SIDE STAYS & BRASS HOOK & EYE CLOSURE
Skirt completely lined with buckram

Measures:

Neck circumference: 15"

Shoulder from sleeve to sleeve: 16"

Sleeve inseam: 11.5"

Bust: 34"

Waist: 24"

Length from collar to waist: 15"

Skirt Length: 43"

Skirt circumference: 160"

Condition:

FOR STUDY OR REUSE

Silk fabric is shattered throughout, front of skirt needs to be resewn at waist.


From Me:

The silk may be shattered but it hasn't really diminished this beauty. The trim is quite unique and I love the floral plaid combo. This just looks like a fabulous Easter dress.

1864 Fashion Plate

Notice the sleeves on the black and white dress in the fashion plate have some of the similar elements to these extant ones. Also, by 1864, th waists of the dresses were straight across, no more point. This dress is probably from about that time although I suspect the fabric is earlier.