Lovely Petal Pink Teen's Era Dress

From the seller:

This is really pretty, the scalloped skirt is trimmed with metal ribbon. The camisole over the lace bodice has torn underarms and the lining has some discoloration.The rest of the dress is strong. This could be restored or used for display or study.
Bust 32'
Waist 22"

From Me:

1915 Fashion Plate

The whole flounced skirt thing was very popular in the mid Teen's era. Given the width of the skirt, I'm pretty sure it's 1915. It also appears to be for a younger lady. What I do love is that the seller showed how the lace underbodice is attached to the cotton underskirt - making this style easy to recreate.

Early Edwardian Striped Bodice with Velvet Accents

From the seller:

Antique 1890s Gibson Girl Bodice Waist Striped Silk Green 22" Waist Cutter XS Lovely antique Gibson Girl style bodice with a pigeon breast front and very long full sleeves. The fabric is ivory and taupe striped silk, and it is trimmed in green velvet. The sleeves are puffed and full at the shoulders.
Boned and hook and eye closure. It is in overall good condition but there is underarm stains as shown.and the silk is shattering but only by one underarm, and on the edge of the back hook and eye edge. Please see photos for detail.
32” Bust
22” waist
Shoulder to waist: 15”
Shoulders:12”

From Me:

I don't think this is 1890's but I can see how the seller would think so. Instead, I think it's early Edwardian.

1902 Fashion Plate

1902 Fashion Plate

Although the Leg o Mutton sleeve disappeared with the 1890's, a full sleeve did not. I'm thinking this is just a young lady's bodice who happened to like the new fuller sleeve. The velvet accents make sense with a more Edwardian time frame.

Teen's Era Simple Linen Dress

From the seller:

Here is a true vintage, antique Edwardian dress circa 1910. This was a beautiful day dress in its time and would be a stunning bridal gown today. Yes, this linen and lace dress needs restoration and repair. For this reason - and because fit is hard to judge online - this dress is being sold as is. Most stains are from the original covered button and hook-and-eye closures as well as from perspiration under the arms. Some buttons and closures are missing and a few tears/holes, including to the lace at the high neck, require mending. The approximately two inch hem has come undone in places and has been pinned. A composite photo of measurements is provided (may be hard to read measurements on smart phones, computer viewing suggested) and questions are welcomed!

If you are undaunted by a project and appreciate the graceful looks worn by Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern while strolling the grounds at Downton Abbey, this may be the dress for you!

From Me:

Well, first, this is more of a kitchen maid's dress...

1912 Sears Catalog

The dress is probably from about 1912/1913. The neckline is starting to come down but it's still high.  The cut of the dress lacks any fullness in the skirt.  I really love the simple embroidered touches at the cuffs.

Half Mourning (?) Late Edwardian Dress

From the seller:

This is an antique Victorian or Edwardian gray silk or silky material, can't say for sure, dress with embroidery and piping trim being offered as is because of a lot of damage. It has a lace neck insert and standup collar with wire stays. It closes at the back and waist with hooks and eyes. There is a panel on each side sewn down in the front and another down the back center that go about 2/3 the way down. The top and sleeves are lined. There is a nice embroidered design at the front center. I can't tell for sure if the embroidery and piping are gray or a light lavender as seen in the photos. The sleeves also have that nice piping design. The measurements are 17" flat across the shoulders, 18" flat under the arms, a 27" waist, 44" hips and is 50" long with an 80" hem circumference. The sleeves are 20" long with just under an 8" opening. Condition is as is with a lot of holes mostly on the skirt as shown, holes in the sleeves, some scattered on the top at the right back and a couple on the front right side just above the waist. Otherwise the top without the sleeves is pretty good. A great style of dress for study or perhaps just for the fabric. Please look at the pictures carefully with the mouse for conditions and details, note the measurements for fit and ask questions.

From Me:

The reason I think this is a half mourning dress is because, other than the embroidery, it's terribly plain, and the color of gray and lavender. The white lace insert could have been added later or just have been part of the less strict rules towards the end of the Edwardian era.

I'm also curious if it was overdyed as gray which would explain why the embroidery looked gray to the photographer but lavender in the photo.

1909 Fashion Photograph

1908 Fashion Plate

A rather big jump in fashion happened between 1908 and 1909. The skirt got thinner, the train on the skirt died completely, the sleeves got thinner - the overall look went from being voluminous to a column in just a few short months.

The sleeves on this extant dress look more like the sleeves on the 1908 fashion plate (just without the lace!) whereas the skirt looks more like the 1909 photograph but for daywear. So, a couple of possibilities:
1) this was an earlier styled dress that she redyed gray for mourning and re-designed the skirt but left the bodice and sleeves alone because of the embroidery.
2) It was fashion transition and she liked the fuller sleeves.

Either is completely possible - maybe even a bit of both.

Perfect Autumn Dress

From the seller:

In very good preowned condition. This is made of silk twill that is still in good shape and wearable.
From examining this dress, it looks to have been originally made in the early 1880s and restyled in the late 1880s - 1891-ish. The seamstress did an excellent job.

There are some wear areas (under 1 arm), small spot on skirt, and an area of light fade near it. Under both lapels there is some missing buttons. Please check all photos.

Bodice Bust 40, waist 34.

Skirt waist 34.

We take returns if not satisfied.

From Me:

This dress was for a plump lady. Remember always, the measurements are meant to be over a corset. She would have been about a size 14 today.

1885 Fashion Plate

Based on the bodice design and the skirt pleating, I think it's from the middle of the 1880's.