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.

Early 20th Century Pink Petticoat

From the seller:

This is a darling pink cotton Edwardian petticoat. Insert lace is set in criss-crossing, diagonal designs, framing graceful, hand embroidered panels. The edges are shaped, also trimmed with lace edging.
There is a ruffle underneath the flounce, with fabric covered buttons all the way around at the top, right underneath what I always thought was a horizontal slot for a ribbon to be threaded through. You can see these in the 3rd pic.
Not sure what would have been attached here, perhaps something that was supposed to be threaded through the slots and held on with the button.
Anyway, it's 26 1/2" at the waist, 32" long.
In good condition. The button is missing in back, there are a couple of brownish spots, a 1/4" L-shaped tear, you should be able to see this in the pic. There is also a tear to the placket that holds the hook and eye, not visible, of course, when the petticoat is buttoned.
There is a 3 1/2" seam separation to the plain section, near the top of the waist. There are a couple of 1" seam separations where the lace is pulling away from the fabric. There is one 3" tear to the fabric, two other, 1/2" holes next to it, along the bottom edge right above the lace ruffle. There are two other half inch stressed areas to the fabric near the hem, a 2" area where there is some lace missing, also along the edge. There is a line of fading to the pink where it looks as if a tuck was taken down.
International bidders please be aware that any VAT, delivery, or customs charges are not part of the item price of my own shipping charges. Please contact your local post or customs office if you have about these charges.

From Me:

This could be either Edwardian or Teen's era. The neat thing about this is it appears that the buttons might have been used to hold a dress in place. Layers were all the rage in the late Edwardian/early teens with the ruffles of the petticoat peaking out beneath the dresses.

1913 Fashion Plate

Although the above are evening gowns, the day dresses weren't that dissimilar in the idea of shorter overdresses with an underskirt peaking out. The buttons could keep the shorter overdress in place without it riding it up.

Edwardian Half Mourning Dress

From the seller:

This Victorian 2pc Silk dress has a blouse that criss crosses , there's a cotton under bodice that hooks down the front, there's a few tears on the cotton on the front edges and missing hooks/eyes. There's bones in the seams, the bottom edge is unfinished, there's no hooks and eyes to hold the criss cross in place. There's a small fray on both sides just under the arms, probably from bones rubbing. It measures 36 inches around the bust, across the back shoulder is 12 1/4 inches, waist is 25 3/7 inches. The skirt is really lovely. It has a narrow waistband with hooks and eyes, It has arched seams on the sides going over the hips trimmed with narrow tucks, The bottom has arched points and there's a flounce attached to the lining that makes a full circle and has a tucked ruffle around the bottom. It's lined in silk taffeta as well. It measures 23 inches around the waist, hips full and  it's 38 inches long in front and 46 inches long in back, The skirt is excellent.

From Me:

Not Victorian but very Edwardian. I'm pretty sure this is half mourning based on the colors and the complete lack of any decoration aside from the pintucks.

1907 Fashion Plate

1907 Fashion Plate

Late Victorian Yellow and Black Bodice with Star of David (?) Buttons

From the seller:

Vintage Victorian Edwardian Bodice ORNATE Fancy VGC XS Lace  DETAILS

Yellow satin trim with black lace to front bodice and lapel/collar piece; yellow satin with ruffles to cuffs
pleated bib with black lace bow/boning, standing collar
3 goldtone steel cut buttons
Bust 32"
Shoulder width 12"
Sleeves 24"
Length 15"
  Waist 22"

From Me:

I'm very curious if the Star of David was intentional or if it was just a design element. It would be very cool if it was intentional rather than just a pretty design. I don't think there is really a way to find out without any idea of the provenance of the item.

1899 Fashion Plate

Looking at the sleeves of the extant bodice, there appears to be a slight amount of "puff" to the sleeves still - popular in the Turn of the Century. My guess is about 1899 or so.