Red striped Wrapper Dress

From the seller:

This circa 1870 wrapper has a straight yoke front and back with the body of the wrapper gathered and hanging loose all around. (The front view picture has a ribbon around the waist to show what it would look like belted, as it most likely was when worn originally.) It is longer in back, creating modest train effect. The full bishop sleeves are gathered and adjusted with cord drawstrings to create 1 inch deep self fabric ruffles at the wrists. The half lining is darted and buttons below the yoke with five brown glass buttons. There are no other fasteners on the lining or the fashion fabric. The lining is not finished around the bottom. The hem facing is made up of two kinds of cotton fabric, black with fine white lines and sky blue ground with blue and white squares alternating with small squares filled with tiny squares.

Measurements: Center back length: 62 inches (157.5 cm), Center front length: 57 inches (145 cm), across upper back: 17 inches (43 cm), Hem circumference: 120 inches (305 cm)
Condition: The fabric is sound with no holes or other visible damage.

From Me:
I don't think this is actually 1870's but 1860's. The way the sleeves are shaped and the way the hem is just looks more 1860's to me. However, I'm really not sure since the wrapper styles can be confusing.

Mid 19th Century Wrapper

From the seller:

A charming 1860’s floral printed cotton antique robe that has been de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fabric has a floral pattern in shades or red, mauve and blue on a cream colored back ground. The robe is decorated with red, tan and teal blue geometric trim. It has pagoda styled sleeves and two side pockets. The armscyes are piped. It has a front button and loop closure. The robe is lined with cotton. It is in very good and sturdy condition. There are several missing buttons and some age discoloration. (See photos.). Loose fitting bust 40 Length from shoulder to hem 55.

From Me:

It's probably a bit earlier - 1850's. Here are some other dressing robes or wrappers that have similar cuts:

• 1850's Wrapper at the Met
• 1840's Dressing robe
• 1850's Dressing Robe

The original image from the Met

This is what the Met had up on this wrapper:

Wrapper Date: 1840–60 Culture: American Medium: cotton Dimensions: Length at CB: 60 in. (152.4 cm) Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. D. Chester Noyes, 1950

So, since the Met agrees with me rather than the seller, I'm putting this in the 1850's.

1890's Tea Gown /Wrapper Gown

From the seller:
D425, 1890's Printed Wool & Moss Velvet Morning Wrapper: This late Victorian morning dress is made out of moss green velvet which has minor age related wear, a cranberry silk inset which is in good condition, and a printed wool that is deep forest green with a printed floral of cranberry, gold, ivory and brown. The cranberry red silk has a hand smocked top. The cranberry silk has no lining. The outside of the garment is in good vintage condition with just light age related wear. There are no underarm stains. The brown polished cotton lining has tears throughout. See photos. The dress would not be wearable unless it is relined, since the back hem and the front hem are out. The bust is 31, the waist is 26 and the back shoulders are 10. One of the velvet cuffs needs the seam sewn back about 3 inches long. There are a few hooks and eyes missing on the inside.

From Me:

Call it a tea gown, a wrapper, or a Liberty dress (although I doubt this is a real Liberty dress. There would be a tag)- any way, it's beautiful! I love the red and green together and yet it doesn't look like a Christmas dress. Rather, it looks "warm" in color, more appropriate for autumn.

Late 1860's Plaid Wrapper

From the seller:

A loud plaid silk maternity wrapper from the 1870's. Front closes with hooks and thread bars. Top is lined with brown cotton twill and the lower part is lined with polished tan cotton. Most seams are sewn with lock stitch, but there are a few that are hand sewn. Wrapper appears to have once been worn open, but has been delicately stitched closed. Silk in pretty solid condition, but there is some damage. There is a dart that has come unstitched in the back and has caused a small rip. There is a small amount of sun fading and splitting on one shoulder, and the sleeve on that side has few splits from being folded for too long.

Shoulder to shoulder = 20.5 inches (very sloping shoulders)
Armpit to armpit = 24 inches

Shoulder to hem = 54 inches


Be sure and check out my other auctions of pre-1901 clothing listed this week.


From Me:

Happy Belated Saint Paddy's Day everyone! Today will be all green or have green in it like this dress. The sleeves look very 1860's to me as do the shoulders. I'm going with a late 1860's for the dress.

1870's Wrapper Dress with OMG!ORANGE Paisley

From the seller:

This auction is for a most magnificent genuine 1860's Civil War era dress. This elegant antique dress is sewn of the most exquisite wool fabric with paisley pattern. fabric. The wool is in excellent condition with absolutely no moth damage, wear or stains found. Fully lined in polished cotton. Ever so soft deep chocolate brown silk velvet collar, pockets, sleeve cuffs, belt with matching silk velvet over wooden buttons. The lower dress skirt offers the typical fullness needed for hoop skirts and bustle. The fullness found in this wrapper style princess style dress suggests this may have been a maternity dress. Can be worn as a dress by a larger size women of today's era. Sweeping longer back which was often found in the early 1860's. Bustle back. Very early hooks found along lower front closure...these are original...see photos below. Buttons are decorative and other original 1860's hooks & eyes were replaced with early 1900's snaps for closure up the dress front. In excellent, wearable condition. The only flaw I can find is a hint of fraying neck lining edge with some slight age yellowing and stains of upper back bodice lining....this is lining only! Please see magnified photos below. The near pristine dust ruffle suggests that this dress was barely worn, if ever, outside. Typical Civil War period piping found around upper sleeve/shoulder area. This is a beauty and a very rare find in this condition!

This authentic 1800's dress measures as follows:

Bust: 40 inches

Waist: 38 inches

Underarm to sleeve end: 19 inches

Underarm to hemline: 49.5 inches

For serious antique clothing collectors or Civil Reinactment attendees....this genuine 1860's dress is a must have for your collection....the paisley colors and design are glorious!





Please note...if there is no serious interest in this item I will exercise my right to end the auction early to protect my investment.

From Me:

It's from the early 1870's and not the Civil War. The seller has the belt at the wrong location (notice the huge gap between the buttons right at the lower ribs? That's where the belt should go). It may well have been a maternity dress but it's also a nice wrapper dress.

Mid 1860's Red and Black Wrapper Gown

From the seller:
An antique original 1860 dress that has recently been found at a New England estate sale. The dress is made of cashmere and has a large red leaf pattern on a black background. The neckline, front opening and hemline are made of red cashmere. The front opening has black velvet piping and black velvet button closure. The skirt has a long back sweep.  It is fully lined with cotton.  The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There are a few scattered moth nips, mostly to the back train. Bust 38 Loose fitting waist 30 Front skirt length 42 Back length 55.
From Me:

I love this wrapper if for no other reason that the use of colors. The print and the plain but vivid red border look perfect together.

1864 Fashion Plate

1862 Fashion Plate

Although I think this particular wrapper/morning dress is from 1864/1865, I wanted to show the 1862 one for the neckline.

1890's Wrapper Dress

From the seller:
This auction is for a Romantic Victorian maternity/day dress or wrapper. The fabric is a wonderfully soft medium-weight cotton flannel with a beautiful drape. It's color appears a little darker and shinier in the photos. The bodice has elegant puffed sleeves with gathered cuffs and a high collar with a yoke and decorative ruffles. Below the yoke,it's front falls straight to the floor in soft folds. This design motif is coordinated on the back with the added element of decorative smocking to pull the fabric in at the waist. It allows the fabric to form a small bustle and creates an elegant sweep. A self fabric belt fastens at the waist by hooking. I have shown it hooked in front and reversed to hook in the rear, though strictly speaking, the position of the hook suggests it wasn't meant to be worn this way. Still, pin a bow of ribbon over it for a fun and pretty alternative! There is an inner bodice of brown cotton. It's bottom was left unfinished, which is consistent with the period. Also present on the right side is a very convenient pocket!

Condition is Excellent! The hooks are a little rusty, that's all I can find wrong. The wrapper is strong and wearable! Measurements are 52 inch front length (from neck hook to floor), 31 inch waist if the belt is hooked closed, there is more room if it it's fastened behind. The inner bodice waist is 29 inches, but can be left unhooked. The bust is very full, with the inner bodice closed, it measures 32 inches. Again, there is a lot of gathering here, so the measurement can be larger if left unhooked inside.

From Me:
This is a beauty. The overall shape is consistent with the 1890's.