Purple Bustle Bodice

From the seller:

I think this is a late 1860's bodice altered in the 1870's, or it just could be an 1870's bodice altered in the 1880's!!

Sorry I cannot be more specific. One of you will know!

My camera does not 'do' purples very well, but this silk is a true deep purple - a lovely colour.

At first I thought that the blue fringing to the whole of the base was a later addition, but when you see the buttons, they are a gorgeous purple silk with blue diamond shaped centres, so I truly feel that the colour contrast is deliberate. In addition, some of the stitching is blue - I really don't know whther this is original or not.

The bodice is very fitted and spans out at the back to accomodate an 1860's crinoline, as shown, or an 1870's bustle. Very low over the hips and very full. Lovely!

However, to me the joy of the piece is in the sleeves, fitted to a deep, deep cuff with a large bow at the back of the cuff, and then further decorated with tightly knife pleated flounces. The original sleeves finish underneath this flounce.

Internally there are four short bones on a cream glazed cotton lining. The entire inside lower hem is pure cream silk to finish the inside beautifully.

CONDITION, including alterations.

The underarms are creased but very good externally. The lining under the arms is slightly stained.

Most of the silk is stable, with an overall strong appearance, but this is through good care - there is very minor splitting here and there, including the front fold edge and several splits to the pleated cuff flounces. Obviously if these became worse they could be removed in the future as the original sleeve is still there.

So I would say that the silk appears much stronger than it is.

A little watch pocket has been added to the front - I don't think it was there originally.

The bodice has been taken in a little at the waist and darts. Minor.

As you can see, the main issue is overall muted discolouration to the silk. Now, in Poppy Cottage the light is quite unique! This means that I can only tell you what I see. In daylight, the discolouration can be seen. In standard electric light in the evening, they cannot be seen at all. Obviously under my flash camera they can be seen again, as the flash shows up all faults at their worst.

The discolouration could be staining, but I think it may be instability of the purple dye. Purple was still quite a 'new' colour in the 1870's so perhaps not as stable as it became as the years went by.

Worth trying to give it a steam but I don't think it is strong enough to dry clean - it will shatter.

Chest a tight 32" and waist 24"; much better on a half mannequin for a glorious display with accessories of your choice!

Blue and Gold Bustle Era Skirt

From the seller:


This antique Victorian era girls blue and yellow silk plaid pleated bustle skirt dates from 1880. It is made of a bright royal blue color and creamy yellow silk taffeta fabric, with a graphic plaid pattern. There is a finely pleated solid blue front panel and hidden bottom side skirt pleated panels. This beautiful bustle skirt would have been worn by a young miss teenage girl. It is a mid tea length, with a bustle back, draping long train skirt panel back, plaid patch pocket accent, fully lined, with brass hook & eyes for closure. The skirt measures 33 inches long, with 40 inch hips and a 24 inch waist. It is in excellent wearable condition.

Multi-colored Shoes!

From the seller:

These are very interesting. They are victorian or edwardian shoes or slippers in a vibrant patchwork done in silk threads. The welting around the top also appears to be a mauve colored silk. There is damage to the patchwork around both heels and on the side of one but I had to offer them as they are so unusual. The soles are leather and each have a squash, wood stack heel. The insoles and the area around the inside of the heels are white kidskin. Of note is a couple of the squares in the patchwork that depict a swastika. I wish I knew their origin. They are very narrow and are about 9 1/2" long. If you are handy with a needle, the torn spots may be able to be repaired. The previous owner just pulled one area together with pink thread. I did not want to take it apart. I can ship parcel post with delivery confirmation and I can only accept Paypal. Shipping rates have been determined by weight and destination. Payment is required within 5 days. Feel free to ask questions and thank you for looking. I am always happy to combine shipping.

From Me:

These are OLD. Since they don't have a "left" and a "right" last, I'm guessing they could even be from the 18th C. However, it's probably more like the 1830's.

Beautiful Ice Blue Edwardian Gown

From the seller:


Edwardian Gown for Display or Restoration

The heavy embroidery on this 1908 China blue silk charmeuse gown is absolutely amazing and covers nearly the entire bodice. The embroidered pieces are inserted into the blue silk, which was cut away to receive the Mandarin-inspired panels. The panels themselves feature thick, multicolored embroidery with a Japanese maple and chrysanthemum motif that was completely hand sewn and possibly imported into France from Asia for this high society gown. The neck is a light ivory net and features horizontal banding with matching silk soutache as an accent, and features several layers to add interest. The interior layer of the bodice is ivory tissue silk. Braided buttons decorate the bodice front, skirt, shoulders, and asymmetrical back belt.

The taffeta dress lining is completely shredded. I was going to tear it out but then noticed the original owner had written in the lining so I ended up spending a week painstakingly taping any remaining shreds back together! My husband even told the kids, "I haven't seen your mother in a week because of all that taping." Only the LINING is taped in case you want to use it as a pattern -- not the dress! You could remove the taped lining and with a little work (attaching the underskirt to the overskirt) have a beautiful, wearable, unique Edwardian gown.

Measurements:
Bust: 31"
Waist: 22"
Hip: 33"
Length: 49", with train 63"

Pink Titanic Era Coat!

From the seller:

1912/ 15 EVENING COAT; DARK PINK RAISED WITH GOLDEN-BROCADED SILK



Spectacular 1912/ 15 evening coat or wrap. Dark pink raised with oriental motif in golden-brocaded silk. Trimmed with black silk velvet in collar and cuff, brown fur in the neck, silk frogs and tassel. Pink plane silk satin covering inside. No labels, probably french.

The wrap measures for a size large as follows: the total length (neck to bottom) 47,2 inches (3.9 foot, 120 cm) the arms 17.7 inches (1.5 foot, 45 cm) large each one.

Navy Edwardian Everyday Dress

From the seller:

Edwardian Ladies Bodice & Skirt Suit

The lightweight navy blue faille (wool or wool blend) suit has tan silk georgette collar, cuffs and bodice insert with the prettiest blue & black decorative glass buttons as trim. The set dates from turn of the century and is in a rare medium size. You won't be disappointed in this set.

The bodice has long sleeves and front hook & eye closure. Bodice is full and gathered at waist with sewn band that creates small peplum below. Full skirt is gathered from waist band. Hook & eye closure is on front side under decorative "pocket look" piece. Skirt has a couple pleats starting from each of these pieces.

Fabric: Wool/wool blend
Size: Fits todays medium. Measurements: Please take into consideration the back shoulder measurement - garments of this time period were often full over bust area.

Bodice

Bust: 46 inches
Across shoulders: 15.5 inches
Waist: 30 inches
Sleeve length - 24 inches
Back length: 18 inches

Skirt

Waist: 29 inches
Hips: full - 50 inches
Length: 38 inches

Iridescent Purple and Blue Cape

From the seller:

A beautiful 1840’s iridescent purple silk cape. The fabric has a changeable quality with a dark blue undertone. The cape has a wide shawl style collar. The cape is decorated with wide bands of dotted navy blue silk ribbon. The front of the cape is trimmed with two large navy blue satin bows. The cape is lined with cotton and quilted pink satin. It has a front hook and eye closure. The cape is all hand stitched. There are openings on the side for the arms. The cape is in very good and sturdy condition. There is some fading on the pink silk lining. Shoulders 15 length 30.