1860's Blue and Pale Yellow Wrapper Gown

From the seller:

1850 - 1860 CIVIL WAR LADIES DRESSING GOWN WITH TRAIN MUSEUM DE-ACCESSIONED
Offering an exceptional fetching Civil war era 1850- 1860's lady's dressing gown in ivory wool and cotton with blue silk insert trim, with white braided trim, machine sewn and hand sewn.
Recently de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
The  bodice is piped at armscyes at drop shoulder. The gown is lined with ivory colored polished cotton in bodice and gauze in skirt.  Gown has original fabric covered button closures in front, and one side pocket. The long curved arm sleeves and flared at top and tapering to wrist.

The back waistline is gathered with cartilage pleating hidden by a large back split peplum.




The gown is in fair to good study condition.  There is underarm discoloration stains.   Fringes are complete and not missing. Discoloration staining on front on hem line as shown in photo.  Scattered very small pin size dot oxidation spots all over. Few small holes in tan challis and in blue silk trim. Few small brown spots on front blue silk trim. The fabric is rich and supple.
MEASUREMENTS: 
Bust 38", Waist 38", Sleeve length 21", Length from shoulder to front hem 57",  Length from shoulder to back train 69", Shoulders across back 15", Circumference at hem line 168-1/2".
In fair to good, presentable condition and a great display gown for study or display. A beautiful display gown.
A superb hard to come by dress of 160+ years of graceful life.
This is a wonderful piece to add to an early collection.

From Me:



I think the extant one is later than the one above from a fashion mag circa 1863, but the similarities are pretty obvious: the design down the front, the shape of the sleeves, ect. The only reason I think the extant one is later is the "tails" in the back which were more popular in the later 1860's/early 1870's.



The above are the original photos from the MET...and the reason I think it's really a pale yellow rather than an ivory. Or else, it's faded a lot since it's been de-accessioned!

Here is a lovely gown that was inspired by this extant one.

1830's Dress with Red and Green Paisleys

From the seller:

Rare C 1833 Boteh Printed Wool Dress SM


Please Scroll Down For More Photos and Description

This printed dress is a light weight wool with a sylized boteh print in olive green and dark red on a cream background with a wavy taupe stripe. It has a slightly high waist with self belt, wide collar, front placket with a padded fan front bodice, ruched at the shoulder, upper sleeves and above the button cuff. IT has some thin sp;ots and a few minor tears, supported by a gauze lining, it has a stain on the front neck by the collar, hooks in front, missing some hooks/eyes. The lining has rust stains on the shoulders probably from a metal hanger, some small tears under the hooks/eyes, a little faded under the arms. It was from the Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC. Overall they called it in fair condition, I would call it good (I'm less picky and giving it a few points for age). It's 32 inches around the bust, waist is 26 and it's 51 inches long.

From Me:

For some reason, the 1830's appear to be a mix of Dr. Seuss (just take a look at the hairstyles!), the 1970's (see the colors above? Tomato Red & Avocado Green), and Kate Greenway's illustrations and yet, despite all that, it somehow works.

Here is the original info from the MET:

Dress

Published 1833–38
Topics Europe, cotton, 1833–38, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume, Cotton, Dresses, European




Identifier mma_dress_82292
Accession_number C.I.38.23.4a, b
Culture European
Date 1833–38

For a specific date, I believe it's more towards the 1837/1838 time period.  In 1833, they were still all about puffed sleeves of doom!

Lovely Buttercream Yellow 1890's Dress

From the seller:

Victorian ca 1870's Ivory Silk 2Pc Dress w Beading SM This beautiful Victorian dress is made from a very heavy silk satin. The bodice is lined with bones in the seams. It hooks down the front an dhas wide beaded trim around the bottom and some on the edge of the sleeves. It has very gathered sleeves tapering to the wrist. IT has opened seam on the shoulder, missing the trim / lace or silk on the front yoke, a few very small pin head to just over holes. Both the skirt and the top have small scattered spots and is overall dusty looking, missing beads. It measures 29 inches around the bust, waist is 20 1/2 and is 18 inches long from shoulder to center front point. The skirt has pretty cording around the bottom edge, it's lined in cotton and hooks at the waist. It's smooth in front and pleated in back, there's a ribbon across the back to hold the pleats in place underneath. A few very light, small spots and a few pin head holes, but there is a water spot on the back (photo), waistband has a few tears. There are 2 streamers with beaded fringe that are detached.  It measures 21 inches around the waist, hips full and it's 38 inches long.
 

From Me:
How anyone could mistake this for an 1870's bustle with those sleeves is beyond me. Clearly, this is mid 1890's. Given the measurements, to include the skirt being 38" long, I think this was for a teenager and not an adult.

1894 Fashin Plate

Drop Dead Gorgeous 1920's Pastle Party Dress

From the seller:

Vintage early 1920's silk party dress. Please note: dress is in POOR condition and sold as is for pattern/display or fashion study. Vintage clothing is used clothing and sold as-is. Very fragile but can be used for a display. Pale soft green silk dress with tiered skirt ending with a petal look. Slight dip to skirt from waist to hemline along one side. Piped waistline. Darker silk underskirt with pale green petal tier. Lot's of splitting to the main silk fabric as shown in photos. This was once a beauty in its day! Silk sash belt wraps around waist. Snaps missing from belt. It is pinned in place. Large bow drape. Hand created pink petal ribbon flowers adorn front diagonal bodice. These flowers are deteriorating. Armcyces in bad condition. Side snap closure. I am not going to do measurements on this garment due to its condition. NOT WEARABLE! Underneath has panniers that hold the skirt out. I have soft tissue paper underneath to show the true look of the garment. Lot's of splitting in the silk fabric bodice in good condition with a few small splits. Skirt shows more wear. Silk was chemically dipped and the solutions used deteriorated these fabrics. SOLD AS-IS! NO RETURNS. NO INTERNATIONAL SALES. Due to non paying bidders, please, bid only if you intend to honor the transaction. Thank you.

From Me:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe I have found my new favorite antique dress. This is just perfection! A petal hem on a mint green 1920's party gown with pink flowers on the front and a cross over bodice? Yes, please!!!

1920's Robe de Style

From the MET:

The robe de style, which is often associated with Lanvin, is characterized by its dropped waist and wide skirts designed to resemble court dresses of the 18th century. The style safely hid the figure, which made it comfortable for clients of any age and shape. This particular robe de style's uncomplicated bold decoration and sculptural silhouette is unmistakably iconic of the 1920s haute couture style of Lanvin.

Gorgeous 1930's Pink Floral Dress

From the seller:

Vintage late 1920s dress, possible 1930. This sweet dress is made out of a crinkle fabric, possible silk? Not certain on this one. Soft peachy pink background with muted blues, red, yellow, green, pinks in large floral pattern. Short sleeves with a faux bolero look. All sewn as one piece on the bodice. Frilly trim along faux bolero and cuffs of same fabric. Long curved wide skirt. Please note: vintage clothing is USED CLOTHING and sold as-is. Condition clean and sturdy. Sadly there is a boo-boo on upper left shoulder as shown in photo. Underarms are clean but have holes. Faux bolero covers these. Side snap closure. Skirt cut on the bias so has good stretch. No other holes or rips, only the underarms and upper shoulder. Make a nice display. Bust 32, waist 24, hip 38/44 when stretched. Nice low curved drop waist. ALL SALES FINAL. NO RETURNS. NO INTERNATIONAL SALES. Due to non paying bidders, please, bid only if you intend to honor the transaction. Thank you.

From Me:

1931 Sewing Pattern

Although I easily see why the seller would think 1920's, this is early 1930's instead. LOVE the fabric and the styling. I might have to make one for myself.