Edwardian Dress (?) White with pintucks

From the seller:

VICTORIAN SILK WEDDING GOWN
Label: none

Description:
Candlelight silk 2-piece wedding gown from the late 1800s
The bodice closes with hooks and eyes on the left side and shoulder seams
The collar and yoke has something stiff inside to keep the shape
It has stays inside and 3 hooks at the center back bottom to attach to the skirt
The skirt is full in the back for a bustle
It also closes with hooks and eyes
There is a velvet strip and ruffle around the inside of the hem
Condition:

In very good condition, clean and undamaged condition
Measurements:

These measurements are taken flat with a flexible measuring tape...You have to be smaller than the measurements to allow room for ease:

There is no size tag, it was worn by a very tiny lady
Shoulder to shoulder: 12 inches
Sleeve length: 25 inches
Bust: 30 inches
Waist: 20 inches
Hip: 34 inches
Skirt length center front: 41 inches
Skirt length center back: 44 inches
Remember, vintage is NOT new...This is previously worn and will show minor wear...I have inspected and mentioned any noticeable or detracting flaws, noting whether this garment is wearable or not...If not, it can still be appreciated and used for fabric, pattern or construction study...This is sold As Found...Repairing flaws, cleaning, spot removal and pressing is the responsibility of the buyer, as I don't want to damage the garment.

From Me:

I almost didn't post this one for several reasons. I decided to post it and just lay out everything I see and see if anyone else has the same issues or additional ones.

1. The bodice and the skirt don't match. Yes, they are both white, but that's about it. The bodice has these fabulous diamond pintucks, lace around the neckline, and other adornments that the skirt just...doesn't. The skirt does have the lovely knife pleat trim but that was very common during most of the Victorian and Edwardian years. What the skirt doesn't have, is those corresponding hooks and eyes that line the inside waist of the bodice - the bodice was meant for a much heavier skirt. Also, the skirt length would indicate a grown woman where the bodice seems more fit for a teenager.
2. My second problem is I think the bodice is a very, very good reproduction of an original and not antique. The diamond pintucks and the lace look too much like something you'd get in any fabric store. I've bought similar fabric myself for making partlets. The only thing that gives me pause, really, are the stays on the inside but they could have been ripped out of another antique piece and placed here for more authenticity.

1902 Fashion Plate

If it is authentic, then it's an early Edwardian.  If not, it's a very good reproduction.

World War I Purple Blouse

From the seller:

This auction is for a delicious Edwardian suit bodice with peplum. It's made of a fine wool knit. The design is scrumptious! It's cut is fantastic and the embellishments are superb! My favorite detail is the finely embroidered organdy collar. It was sewn in by hand. The edging on it is so delicate and precise. What a work of art! The color is deep aubergine or eggplant. Unusual and stunning. The crystalline motifs of roses that appear to be made of dewdrops! They are, in fact, individually applied crystal beads. Then there are all the tiny pearl buttons, not just sewn on, but artfully applied with a sprig stitch! I wonder what the hat that accompanied this suit looked like. Or the shoes! One can only imagine.

Condition: Underarm discoloration and a general unevenness in tone. No closures and scattered small holes.

Measurements are: The bust is about 36 inches & the waist is about 27 inches

From Me:

I think this might have been an older dress, remade a few years later during the war - the sleeves look a bit odd as if they had been short and then the length was added much later.

1917 Fashion Plate

Most likely 1917 or there abouts.

Late 1860's Green Dress Restyled From An 1840's Dress

From the seller:

This is not my area of expertise so please forgive me. Up for offer is a seen-better-days two part outfit that must be either Victorian or Edwardian-era. Top jacket with tails and cord-fringe, a pleated shirt and two additional fringed details. Fabric looks to be silk (?) but has quite a lot of tears. But still intact. Shipping will be $25 throughout Canada or the US. IF less, I'll reimburse the difference. Offers are welcome

From Me:

The dress was cut up from an 1840's dress based on the bodice trimming style.

1845 Fashion Plate

The trim going in a v down the front and back is very 1840's. Fringe was huge as well, as indicated in the fashion plate above.

1867 Fashion Plate

The style did come back a bit in the late 1860's, but as with all fashion, it was tweaked a bit.  The angles and placement are slightly different.

The biggest clue though, really, to this being a remodeled dress is the insides of the bodice.  The original bodice has a button front - the new one just added on the the front (between the fringe front) that hooks.  You can really see how much it was remodeled with the different colored lining.  Because the front we see wasn't there originally - just the fringe- it falls far more in line with a cut up 1840's bodice like in the first fashion plate than the bodice of the pink dress in the second.   It also looks like some of the skirt might have been de-trimmed and that was used as the peplum now for the back of the bodice.

Altogether, an interesting piece of mid-19th Century fashion.

1920's Peachy Pink Beaded Dress

From the seller:

WOW amazing beaded Flapper 1920's dress,love those 20 panels they swing out when you twirl in the dress! . Selling as a study or restoration as she is ripped underarms,but skirt and main body is still in very nice shape.
Bust 36" Waist 40" Hip 42" length 41"

From Me:

Of course, clearly 1920's. I'm in love with the beading on the skirt strips. This would have been fabulous over a cream colored slip.

1880's Lavender and Tan Bustle Era Dress

From the seller:

The most amazing antique 1800s dress ever!!!
Lavender and beige.. with wonderful ruffles and buttons

Jacket is long and unique

only flaws I noticed were a few small spots on the skirt that show in the photos as small dark stains. and the back of the jacket is slightly discolored in the center about 3"

this is a treasure for a collector or museum
offered with NO RESERVE!!!

top measures 58" long.. 19" arm.. 16" armpit to armpit and 28" waist..

skirt is 40" waist and 47" long


From Me:

1884 Fashion Plate