Posted 4 years ago
Mrstyndall
(912 items)
So, I was on FB marketplace last night and a lady put this dress up for Free. I was the second person to contact her, so she was waiting to hear back from first person. I got up this morning and had a message saying she had not heard back and had like 50 other messages from people wanting it. So, I got ready and went to pickup about 25 minutes from my house. She said she thought this was a silk bustle dress that was originally purchased in England and had been in a museum at some point, from 1860-1870 era range. This dress is really cool with a lot of detail. Plus, it is tiny. In today’s sizes I would think it would smaller than zero in women’s sizes. Such a neat piece of history.
Beautiful antique dress and so lucky you were her first caller, congrats MrsT
Wowwwwww! Fantastic and beautiful dress. When I saw it I thought you had taken a photo in a museum. Cant understand why someone would give it away?! You are very lucky. If you at one point would not want it any more it would probably be a good idea to give it to a museum again. Lovely.
And even if they were smaller, thinner and hade corsetts maybe it is not for a grown woman but for a youn girl?
OMG — I just love this dress. This is a great discovery, MrsT. Is there a dressmaker tag in it, at all? By that time in England, dressmakers were identifying some of their work.
It could be for a girl, as Elisabethan writes. Yet, we all know that during the Civil War years in the US, women used strings & corsets to achieve 16 - 18” waists. And if you look at the early adulthood photos of Queen Mary, who was no small woman, the great power of corsets and strings is obvious. (Queen Mary was/is mother of Edward VIII and George VI, who is Queen Elizabeth II’s father),
Jenni, thank you so much! Glad you like :)
Oh I am so jelly over this!!! I can see her with a hat that matches, a parasol, the gloves and shoes and lets not forget the tote or wristlet!!! Ah!!! Are you going to display her? Make sure it's not in the sunlight and if you wrap it, I know you already know but make sure it's in the acid free packaging. It looks to be in incredible condition!!!
Elisabethan, thank you for the great comment! Because of the length, I think it is a woman’s or at least teen dress, too long for a child. Glad you like, was happy to get it
Keramikos, yes, having to wear that with all garments everyday would be a hassle and uncomfortable. Still a cool piece of history that I was happy to take :)
Daisy and shareurpassion, thanks for the kind comments and info on this dress. I did not see a makers tag in it, just a tag from museum. For now, I will probably just store it away. It would Be pretty on a dress form, but it does have some tears and rips and I would worry about it getting worse.
Wow that is amazing to get for free ! Just stunning , Use white cotton gloves when touching it as silk and old fabric don't like the oil in our hands . I have had French fashion antique dolls with clothes like this fabulous dress ! Love love
Mani, thank you so much, glad you like and thanks for the info
Keramikos, I took dress back out and did a couple measurements. From the collar in the very center of the dress to the front of the bottom it is 51 inches. From the waist line to front bottom is 37. I am 5’6 and held it up against me. The front looks like it would come 2-3 inches above my ankle. So, maybe for a teen or a shorter petite lady??
I am short it would be to long in front for me :-) so yes a tiny woman . I would love to see it put on a dressmakers manikin or a real manikin for display away from sun and enclosed . If it would fit a doll it would sell for 100's !
You would love this Victorian jewelry book I have, which separates the decades from lets say 1830 to 1900.
Each chapter also has historical information for that time, and some images of what kind of garments women wore.
I also am keen on a lot of history, costumes, and culture information from various places and periods.
My Wife had me post some things that will go along with your dress!!! She loves that dress. She collected Victorian STUFF years ago!!!
Manikin, I may eventually display, don’t have a lot of room right now though. Thanks for the info
Truthordare, what is the name of book and by whom? Thanks for stopping by:)
Yougottahavestuff, I saw your cool pieces, thanks for posting
very interesting dress....
Wife found a pair of gloves Will Post!!
Stuff
Kivatinitz, yes, it is, thanks for stopping by!
Stuff, will check them out, thanks!
Oh I totally believe this was made for a very respectable woman w a grip of old money attached to her name! If you’ve ever watched “Tombstone”, you will see a dress very similar to this. I know it’s a movie, but it’s also a true story!!! And yes, Mani of course is correct, white gloves are necessary to prevent further deterioration. Love her idea of it being enclosed! I wonder why the museum let this go? I get the most room’ thing tho, as I’m pretty sure most of us do! ????
Shareurpassion, I wondered why it was let go too, but I don’t know. Thanks for stopping and loving this dress. Yeah, eventually maybe will display, we’ll see :)