1880's Bustle Outfit

From the seller:

Old & authentic twist to dress.
Model from the late 1880s.
Comprises two Elements:
The bodice and skirt.
The bodice is boned, closing at the front by eyelets.
The skirt is connected to the bodice using hooks.
In fine condition.


From Me:

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately! New job as of a month ago - long hours.

This outfit bugs me for some reason - and I think it just looks unfinished. I'm not sure if there should be another sash going across the shoulder or if it's something with the skirt but this looks like a UFO.

http://bartoscollection.com/fp1884.html

Basic Blue Blouse

From the seller:

Early 1900's Victorian or Edwardian Blue Chambrey Cotton Blouse
Lady's cotton chambrey day wear blouse from the early 1900's. Blouse has eleven vertical tucks from the neck line to the hem center front with the same along either side of the back opening. Many short tucks follow the round neck of the blouse. The long sleeves form a point at the cuff. Edged with a pretty flora machine lace trim. Hook & eye fasten the back. The blouse is in good condition. Possibly a bit of fading to the fabric from washings. A small amount of oxidation marks from storage. Measurements: 21" long from the neckline to the hem. 15" across from shoulder to shoulder. 34" around the bust..

From Me:

This really looks like something you would easily see on a hanger in the store now, but it is Edwardian. Probably about 1905/1906.

The catalog cover above is from 1904.  The lady looks pregnant sitting there but it might just be the pigeon front.  Notice, no high neck!  The extant one is more droopy, making me think it's a bit later, but both show the pintucks.  

Mid Edwardian Lawn Dress with Incredible Detail Work & Lace Insertition

From the seller:

This auction is for a beautiful antique Edwardian era Cotton Lawn Batiste Lace Garden Party or Wedding dress. It is so much better in person than in our terrible pictures. This antique Edwardian era cotton batiste lace dress dates from around 1910 or a little earlier.. It is made of a sheer fine cotton batiste lawn fabric, with embroidered cut work and Valenciennes French bobbin lace inserts. This lovely lace long floor length dress has a sweeping train in the back. It is sheer and unlined so you would need to wear a slip under it. Dress has a high lace neck and it buttons down the back of the bodice with 12 tiny lace covered buttons. Dress measures 19 1/2" across from underarm to underarm, bust is 20 1/2" across, waist is 15" across and it is 62" long from shoulder to bottom of hem. This dress is cut open in the back from the waist down so it will need to be repaired. There are also some stains and a few small holes but it is still a stunning dress. We love rare and odd items, please bookmark us as a favorite seller as we list new items almost every day. Auntbee is always happy to combine multiple item purchases to save on your shipping charges!

From Me:

First, that front of the skirt and that detail in the bodice are absolutely droolworthy. Second, the measurements: the lady that wore this dress was probably about a modern size 14. Although the 30" waist would be a modern size 10, you typically need to add 4" due to the corset to get an idea of how large the people wearing the clothing really were.



Probably from around 1906.

American Civil War Era Striped Bodices

From the seller:

A striking pair of 1860’s bodice that are both made of the same brown and white stripe gauze fabric. They are de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection The first bodice has full pagoda styled sleeves that are adorned with brown and white silk trim. The neck, armscyes and waist are piped. The bodice is lined with polished cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The bodice is in very good and sturdy condition. There is some very minor underarm discoloration, mostly to the inside lining and one tiny hole under one arm. Bust 34 Waist 24. The second bodice is also lined with polished cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The brown crocheted buttons are decorative. The outer edges of the sleeves are trimmed with brown silk fringe. The neck, armscyes and waist are all piped. The bodice is in very good and sturdy condition. There is no underarm discoloration. There is one ½ inch stress break on the front of the bodice. Bust 34 Waist 24.

From Me:

I tried to find these in a simple search but no luck this time. I want everyone to take a look at the trim on the bodice with the pagoda sleeves. It's INSANE.  Imagine trying to embroider all of that!

1862 Fashion plate via Civil War Clothing

I like this fashion plate because it has elements that both extant bodices have. The epaulettes at the shoulder with the baggy sleeve for one (and trim placement!) and the baggy gathers with the other.

Green and Black Plaid 1860's Dress

From the seller:

A charming 1860’s green and black plaid silk dress that has been de-accessioned from the Rochester Historical Society Museum collection. The cataloging number is stitched inside the skirt waist band The bodice has full pagoda styled sleeves. The top of the sleeves are pleated and decorated with green and black stripe silk bows. The hemline on the sleeves are trimmed with the same ribbon. The bottom of the sleeves are lined with white silk. There is some age spotting on the silk lining. (See photo.) The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front hook and eye closure. The neck, armscyes and waist are piped. The skirt is fully lined with cotton. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There are no splits in the fabric. There is some light underarm discoloration. Bust 35 Waist 26 Skirt length 40 Width at hemline 110.

From Me:

1861 Fashion Plate via In the Swan's Shadow.

See the bows at the upper arm and the slight curve of the waistline in the fashion plate? The extant dress has them too.

Teen's Era Outfit Like what Mrs. Hughes would have worn in Downton Abbey

From the Seller:
Welcome to Robins in the Trundle Bed, brimming with antiques, whimsies, and fripperies that we have gathered in treasure hunts over the New England countryside. We are pleased to offer this lovely antique two piece gown. The teens/1920’s ensemble is made of black silk with pale blue & silver line designs. Black silk chiffon overlays a whisper blue silk bodice front. The top of the black chiffon has alternating cream lace & black embroidered horizontal lines. Four black embroidered buttons decorate each side of the blue silk. The left side at the waist is decorated with a circular black crocheted flower that measures 2 ¼” across. Whisper blue grosgrain ribbon with fancy embroidered scalloped edges decorates the rounded sailor collar . Pretty half bows embellish the two front edges of the collar. The lined sleeves are faux bell sleeves that are actually narrow constructed to appear wide. Four embroidered buttons decorate the sleeve, while the pale blue grosgrain ribbon embellishes the sleeve hem. A partially attached belt is sewn on the back of the jacket and can be worn snapped in the front or doubled for a cinched look. The belt ends have two tiny crocheted buttons. The jacket/blouse has a long “skirt” that hangs 18” below the blue silk front. The front of the jacket has two metal weights sewn in the front hem to keep the hem down. The long skirt has a black waistband that has hooks and eyes. A beautiful, elegant ensemble!

Size:
The jacket/blouse measures:
Shoulder to shoulder:14”
Bust: garment laid flat & measured underarm to underarm & doubled: 42”
Waist: 38”
Shoulder to hem: 34”

Skirt:
Waist: 28”
Length from waist to hem: 36”

From Me:

Yeap, she'd totally wear it.

1917 Fashion Plate

Given the narrowness of the skirt but the normal waist length, I'm putting this at about 1917.

Pretty Late Edwardian Dress with Couching

From the seller:

This deep red wedding dress from the 1880s has beautiful detail and with beautiful needle work and an elegant shape. The top has two layers of sheer fabric and the outer layer has delicate, expertly sewn pleats. The sheer fabric is found on the upper back and front, the high collar and the long, slim sleeves. The top of the collar and the edge of the bottom of the sleeves. The sheer fabric is undamaged. At the front and back below there is exquisite lace. The same lace is appliqued on the exterior upper section of the sleeves.
The back of the top is fastened by hooks and eyes. The other fabric on the top is satin. Strips of red satin appliqued with a lovely serpentine pattern go front the waist at the front to the waist on the back. There is a detached belt (25" with hook and eye fasteners) in the same satin with the serpentine overlaid pattern. The full skirt is made of the same dark red satin and there are four 16'' inch panels with the serpentine pattern on the top of the skirt. Measurements: 41" from the waistband to the bottom of the hem; 22" waist; 34" bust. Condition: this dress is too fragile to wear; it's only suitable for display; as a pattern, or for salvaged remnants. There is considerable damage around the waist and directly below it, and some damage around the waist of the top. The plain satin has a significant number of splits. For display purposes, the gown can easily be arranged to conceal the slits in the satin or the skirt can be reworked. It has dainty pleats at the bottom of the skirt. It has been in storage since it was worn originally, so there is almost no fading. It's a beautiful design with excellent workmanship.
Every treasure from the past tells a unique story about times gone by, enrich your life by adding one today!

From Me:

The tag says Wedding Trousseau, not Wedding Dress. There is a VERY big difference.

As for the 1880's thing, I can't even.

Seriously.

So, clearly Edwardian. The total lack of a bustle is the first clue that it's no where near 1880's...(*too many filters, not enough time to punch through them all*). The pintucks (popular in both the 1890's and 1900's), the wide suspenders look (so 1900's) and the overall shape are all late Edwardian in style.

1907 Fashion Plate