Vintage Dress 1800's

[ohyolandie]

Ladies or Gentlemen,
I just came across this wonderful gown and am looking for a bit more information can anyone help with this.



http://s787.photobucket.com/albums/yy153/ohyolanda/?action=view&current=VintageClothing005.jpg

 

[pdxvintagette]

Can you provide more photos - front, closed up of details, etc? It would be hard to date a dress accurately without knowing the shape and style of the neckline, for instance.

Also, while there are some ladies on here familiar with antique clothing, this may not be the best resource for your research. There is the Vintage Fashion Guild, with some public boards and very knowledgeable members, some of whom have decades of experience with antique and vintage clothing.

You should, first and immediately, STOP storing it on a hanger to prevent further shattering at the shoulders and upper back. You can find some great tips online for proper care and storage of antique textiles with very little searching.

 

[Lady Day]

Also, while there are some ladies on here familiar with antique clothing, this may not be the best resource for your research. There is the Vintage Fashion Guild, with some public boards and very knowledgeable members, some of whom have decades of experience with antique and vintage clothing.

Well said.

You may want to Google some forums on Victorian clothing, as this does go outside the general scope of this forum. As stated prior, there are a few ladies who know stuff, but more in depth info will be found elsewhere.

Good luck! Its an interesting piece.

LD

 

[Vanessa]

Beautiful dress! I love the color. It's Victorian - from the natural form era circa about 1876-1879....hard to tell exactly without more detailed shots of the side & front to see how full the skirt is and the trim patterns on the front.

This was a very brief time period in between the earlier & later bustle periods when all of the fullness in skirts dropped very low behind the knees and trains because extremely long and ornately decorated with trim. The front of the skirts narrowed & were tied back for a slim look in front.

Here are some other extant gowns from around the same time period to give you an idea of the style.

 

[ohyolandie]

Ladies,

Thank you very much for the feedback, especially the wonderful links, which were the best yet. Believe me I've been scouring the internet for more info. The hanger was only used for the photos they are not stored this way at all!


I have attached a few more photos perhaps we can gather a bit more info

http://s787.photobucket.com/albums/yy153/ohyolanda/?action=view&current=VintageDress002.jpg

http://s787.photobucket.com/albums/yy153/ohyolanda/?action=view&current=VintageDress003.jpg

http://s787.photobucket.com/albums/yy153/ohyolanda/?action=view&current=VintageClothing007.jpg

 

[Vanessa]

Great pictures! The bodice closure is so interesting. I stand by my earlier date assessment, but I would put it towards the earlier end of that spectrum due to the a-line nature of the skirt in the front. The later natural form gowns (1879-82) were extremely narrow (almost tube-like) and close fitting from the hips down.

Please preserve it as best you can for the future. Please - no hangers. It should be stuffed with tissue to prevent set in folds & stored in acid free tissue in an archival box. Take it out every few months and re-arrange it to prevent wear to particular folds.

 

[ohyolandie]

Thank you Vanessa!

Dear Vanessa,

I agree the dress is so lovely!

I only wish I could have worn this out at sometime in history hmmmm but things aren't like they used to be, oh well we have our history and our memories thank God for grand-folks.

I come across many treasures in my line of work, I fell in love with this the moment I saw it and the other gowns that I have in my possession. My only regret is that I did not acquire all of them....

You live and you learn!

You've been a wealth of knowledge thank you so very kindly.