Bustle Era Shoes

From the seller:

This is a FANTASTIC pair of women's leather victorian button up shoes with much sought after spool heels. They are a nice black/brown leather and each have 3 mother-of-pearl steel shank buttons. They have 6 openwork cutouts with HAND-SEWN netting down the front which are decorated with beautiful HAND-SEWN faceted cut steel beads. Lots of hours went into making VERY SPECIAL these shoes.

They measure 5" tall, 10" long, and 3" wide.

I have stuffed them for display (which also protects from bending and cracking).

They are from the victorian era, around 1870 - 1890. There are no markings inside for sizing or maker.

The superb quality of the late 1870's to early 1900's - before mass production -- is evident in this AMAZING pair of shoes. You can see by the way the shoes are put together that they were very high quality items in their day.

There are a few small scuffs, but the leather is still shiny and soft and in great condition otherwise. There are a few beads missing and some of the netting is gone, but this is not very noticeable and does not detract from their beauty, and they still display fantastically! Also, the middle button on the right shoe is a bit smaller than the others. I have had these shoes for 15 years and never noticed it until looking at the pictures I took to put them on ebay. They have been well taken care of, and I'd say that overall, they are in wonderful condition, especially considering they are 120 -140 years old.


From Me:

I'm thinking 1880's for these. However, the seller is right - this style was popular for a while.

18th C (?) Mules

From the seller:

DESCRIPTION: Absolutely stunning pair of antique or vintage black and ivory cream ladies mules or slipper shoes with elegant gold metallic thread embroidery and a shapely louis heel. The body of the shoe is black leather over canvas or cloth, the heel and trim appear to have once been a soft ivory kid leather, and the insole is a padded red leather with a hint of green leather sandwiched between the louis heel and red insole. The ornate embroidery is gold metallic threads wrapped around orange red silk thread, and there are little pieces of gray metal also wrapped around thread or string for a bead like effect. The center flowers near the toe of shoes have what appear to be brass metal sequins. There are 2 very small holes on each side of the back part of the shoe perhaps for a decorative tie around the heel? The shoes are quite small and narrow by today’s standards. These could possibly be French or European, as the bottom of shoes are stamped 35, and there is also remnants of a paper label on the soles. We are unsure as to how old these are, but they look to have much age, even though they appear to have had very little use. Please note that these shoes have a strong “old or antique” odor, for lack of a better word. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have since we are unsure of exact age or origin.

SIZE/WEIGHT: Approximately 9 3/8”-9.5” from tip of toe to heel. Widest point on sole is 2 7/8”. Stamped 35 on bottom of both shoes. 7.25 oz.

CONDITION: In our opinion these are in Good - Very Good vintage condition. We have not done anything to restore the leather, it is as found. The black leather is dry and has some cracks and wear. The cream trim and heels have yellowing, and wear, with one shoe having 2 large areas of wear and one area by corner of the heel is actually missing the leather altogether. That same shoe also has an area of separation or a split on the underside by the heel where the stitches were. The lined canvas or fabric inside has some light aging, and the red leather insoles have a few wear spots and small tears. There are missing gray metal trim pieces around the decorative gold thread.


From Me:

I really don't know if these are 18th C or not...methinks not but that's not really based on anything substantial. Anyone have any idea of when these babies are from?

1890's Dress with Fabulous Print

From the seller:

Offering a great Victorian jacket and skirt in a beautiful print on a rich Mulberry purple back round. The jacket is fitted and has leg of mutton sleeves with a standup collar and a hook and eye closure front. The skirt has a waistband and is very full and flowing. The jacket measures Bust~32 Length~18 with holes and stains in the armpit area. the front closure area also has stress splits and tears. The skirt measures 26 waist and is 37 with some repair to the waistband seaming and some holes near the top of the front waist but no holes in the remainder of the skirt. One of the prettiest of prints and a superb Victorian design!

Shipping will be either Parcel Post or Priority Mail with tracking. Please be sure to check my other listings for more great finds as I am happy to combine wins to save on postage. International buyers are responsible for any taxes or duties their county may impose and these charges are not included in the shipping rate. Thank you!


From Me:

The colors don't come through on the photos based upon the seller's comments. It sounds pretty fabulous - a nice dark purple with that yellow tan and teal flower?

Natural Form Cream Dress

From the seller:

From a private collection of Victorian Clothing is a wonderful Victorian Wedding Dress/Day After Dress with Train. This is really a beauty. Reminds me of Scarlet's Dress made from drapes. I have loaded lots of pictures for your viewing. As with anything of this age there is some signs of the times but this is really a wonderful find. Estate find being sold as is and as found. Please ask questions before bidding.



Condition. I have looked over this wonderful dress and wanted to list what I found. There is some fraying on the front and underarms. The flounce pieces at the front hem line will need to be repaired. There has been a repair with a iron on patch/fusing piece. There is some wear but as you can see in the pictures this is a awesome find I have pictures of some of these if anyone would like them emailed to them. This is a very beautiful and very heavy dress .



AUCTION IS FOR DRESS ONLY. If someone is interested in the dress form you can contact me concerning it but this is ONLY FOR THE DRESS.


From Me:

I wish the seller included measurements but, alas, no. This is dress is Natural Form, late 1870's, but elements of it harken back to the late 17th C (the way the skirt is piled in the back). Very cool! It was also popular in the 1870's and 1880's to reproduce antique garments with a twist. Hmm...sounds like what we do today. ;-)

Late teens/Early 1920's Summer Dress

From the seller:


A dreamy 1920’s embroidered white cotton tea dress. The dress is embroidered with large sprays of morning glories and leaves. The centers of the flowers and parts of the leaves are embroidered with light mint green. The dress is made in the slip on style. It is in very good and wearable condition. It is crisp and clean. There are no holes and no underarm discoloration. Bust 38 Dropped waistline 38 Hips 48 Length from shoulder to hemline 50.


From Me:

Based on the length, I'm thinking more around 1919-1922.

Child's Natural Form Era Summer Dress

From the seller:

A precious child’s 1880’s open weaved lace dress. The sleeve cuffs and hemline are decorated with ruffles of Val lace. The dress is unlined and has a Dorset back button closure. The dress is in very good and clean condition. There are no breaks in the lace fabric. Shoulders 11 Bust 24 Sleeve length 10 ½ length from shoulder to hem 25.

From Me:

Early 1880's.

Victorian Fancy Dress

From the seller:


Beautiful Civil War Era / Victorian Silk Floral Ball Gown Dress b-37

This Victorian /Civil War era gown is made from a heavy silk satin with a Beautiful pale pink rose print on a cream background. The bodice is lined in cotton, it has bones in the seams, the center front is a deep point, it hooks down the front. The sleeves come below the elbow, they have wide cuffs that are shirred along the inside seam and a wide lace ruffle. THere are 3 darts on each side in front in a fanned out, the top is opened to make a pleat and give fullness for bust. There's hand sewn tucks on the corner of the neckline to take make the neck higher, easily released, the seam binding at the back of the neck is worn (inside doesn't show), underarm seam is pulled and needs to be stitched, the cotton lining has a 3 inch tear along the front edge by the hooks, underarms have light stains, a few hooks are missing. It measures It measures 37 inches around the bust, waist is 27 1/4 inches, across the back shoulder is 15 inches, and from mid shoulder to bottom of center front point it 19 1/2 inches and a light stain on the bottom, but very minor and blends in with the leaves. The skirt is attached to the waistband with little cartridge pleats, it's lined in a tan polished cotton and has a hook and eye in back. The waistband is a little frayed in places and needs to be stitched about 2 inches to the skirt at the center back but doesn't need to be replaced. It measures 27 inches around the waistband, sweep at bottom is 158 and it's 44 1/4 inches long in front and 48 inches long in back. Excellent vintage condition.

From Me:

I think this is a much later dress than 1860's and it looks like it might have gotten reworked a time or two. It looks like it's a Victorian Fancy Dress done in an Rococo esque style. However, the rounded neckline is something seen in the 1860's but the pleated front that got let out looks 1840's and the waist tape and the way the bones are placed inside the bodice? That all looks late Victorian/early Edwardian! So.... feel free to take a stab at this one because I'm thinking 1880's for now...