1890's Black bodice with checkered cuffs

From the seller:

Antique Victorian black bodice / waist with gathered puffy sleeves
and long tight cuffs, pleats front & back, tiny 1/4" pleats down front placket.
May be silk taffeta.
There's a double row of hook and eye closures down the front, boned waist,
hand applied dainty sheer embroidered collar and cuffs.

Condition is very good.
No worn-out areas, stains or odors.
No undue wear under arms.
Top hook & eye needs to be reinforced as it has partially torn from the fabric;
there's a 1/2" fabric split near the top; and a couple small light spots on the front.
A small-size with approximate measurements of:
12.5" straight across back between top shoulder seams
14" straight across back between underarm seams
16" length from neckline to waist hem
11" straight across waistband
21" shoulder seam to cuff
16" underarm seam to cuff

From Me:

Based on the pintucks and the overall shape of the sleeves, I'm saying Turn of the Century. The puffy sleeves of doom had died down by the very late (1898) 1890's.

Very Late 1900's Black Dinner Dress

From the seller:

An ornate 1912 Edwardian black lace evening dress. The bodice has a high neck lace insert and bands of black satin and black satin decorative buttons. There is a thin band of ivory silk and gold metallic lace around the neckline and sleeve cuffs. The waist is trimmed with black satin ribbon with long streamers. The skirt has scattered rosettes that have black and purple crocheted centers. The hemline is decorated with 5 lace flounces. The dress is fully lined with black silk and has a back hook and eye closure. The dress is in good condition. There are splits in the lace around the neckline and the lining is splitting, mostly in the bodice and sleeves. There are a couple of pea size holes in the lace on the skirt and some wear to the ivory silk ribbon. Bust 32 Waist 25 Skirt length 47.

From Me:

Based on the overall silhouette, I'm thinking 1909. The way the skirt is shaped and high neckline would seem more in place then then in 1912.

Black Teens Era Dinner Gown

From the seller:

Styles from the Teens Era are considered to be some of the most elegant & beautiful ever created. They are graceful & balanced. The fabrics & details are lovely. They are also very flattering when worn.

An elegant Teens Era dress. Made of midnight black satin, this was obviously intended as someone's special occasion dress.

The dress is made of black satin. It has a draped overskirt in a classic early Teens style - shorter in front than in back. The bust area, upper back & sleeves are all made of a heavy voile. The hem of the overskirt is trimmed w/a band of heavy voile - nice detail of hemstitching on the voile. There is a black floral lace inset in front, the upper back is lined w/lace under the voile. The sleeves are unlined. The front of the bodice has a draped effect & even has a small stay sewn into the fabric to keep it draped, not drooping. The sleeves are quite full w/fitted cuffs. Each cuff has 3 small old gold metallic bobbles as trim. There is also a long black voile strip w/black beaded tassels on either end. This was meant to be worn dangling from the left shoulder & has a small snap to keep it in place. The skirt is unlined. Fastens on the sides w/snaps.

Size - medium. Bust 38", waist 28", hips 40", length 55".

Condition - overall, very good. The only flaws I saw were a few fade blotches (blotched to a brown color)- 2 tiny ones on the back of the upper left sleeve, 3 larger ones on the back of the right sleeve. Otherwise, NO flaws.

AN EXCEPTIONAL, ELEGANT TEENS ERA DRESS.

NEW REDUCED PRICE AND BUY IT NOW MAKES THIS A SUPER SALE!!!!

From Me:

I love this so much; I just wish we had more detail shots!

Mid to Late 1860's Bodice

From the seller:

Dark gray wool/silk blend, bodice dating to the 1860's. Rare day wear from simple country estate, all hand sewn with front button, (missing a few buttons), short front stays, fully lined in brown cotton. Pleat decorative details. In as found all original condition with discoloration and small spots, tear to surface fabric on one arm. Chest measures 38", waist 30", length from shoulder 15", sleeves 22".

From Me:

Hehehe...Can you tell I'm in a "black" mood today yet? :-D

Anyway, I love that this is a wearable size and all the lovely photos the seller gave us.

American Civil War Era Mourning Gown

From the seller:

Inky black shiny silk mourning gown, dating to the 1860's. All hand sewn, with triple layered pagoda sleeves, trimmed in velvet. Bodice and skirt both lined in brown polished cotton, skirt with wool twill floor brush, small stays front of bodice with hook and eye front closure. Tidy cartridge pleating around the waist of skirt. In overall very good antique, uncleaned condition, with rub wear and small mends under both arms, the silk overall is not dry or shattering. Chest measures 36", waist 26", length from shoulders 56", sleeves 17". All original as found straight out old Vermont estate a few more things from this estate this week.

From Me:

Now this looks more like what I'd expect for a mourning gown! I <3 those sleeves. This is from the earlier part of the 1860's.

Teens Era Summer Dress in Black

From the seller:

Late 1800's to early 1900's

Rare & in amazing condition Mourning dress

Charcoal medium weight cotton

With a charcoal woven ticking

Wrap V neck line

Hooks in the back to the other side

Making a stand up collar in the back

Bodice & upper skirt hook to one side

Sweetheart neckline bodice under this wrap piece

Hooks up the front

Amazing black satiny heavy embroidery down the front of the bodice & apron

Pleated bodice making it somewhat bloused

With a V seam in the back from the shoulders to the waist

¾ length sleeves

Gathered at the shoulders

1" waistband

No tags or labels

Fading all over the dress

Pencil eraser size whole in the bottom back above the hem

A couple other tiny holes one on the side of the arm

Length: 52 1/2"

Bust: 40"

Shoulder seam to seam: 15 1/2"

Sleeves: 15"

Waist: 25"

Hips: 40


From Me:

This is a teens era summer dress. I doubt it was for mourning although black summer dresses are rare. However, this dress looks like it was dyed black (badly) later on. Maybe for Halloween? You can see the dye creases around the skirt.

Puffy Sleeves!

From the seller:

Bodice With Massive Puff Sleeves For Study

This bodice dates to the Victorian 19th century and is fashioned of a moire pattern silk, cut with massive puff sleeves at the top shoulder with a fitted sleeve at the bottom having a turned up cuff trimmed in velvet with a beaded edge. This bodice is sold as found, heavy repairs are seen to the sleeves with splitting seen to the silk. This would be a great piece to pattern, sold as found, reflective of the condition. Measures 32 inches around the bust, 22 inches around the waist, and 18 inches in length.

Vintage clothing is described to its best and sold as found…and described as accurately as possible. The items HAVE NOT been cleaned and should be cleaned prior to wearing at the discretion of the buyer. Often for proper fit, hang, and wear ability, pieces will need to be altered and/or adding a hook or snap here or there, with a seam closure or strengthening needed. Vintage clothing is most often worn previously, and if old stock, often has slight imperfections from storage, a hint of color or odor. hr>
Measurements are to be assumed that they are at maximum, if you have any questions, please ask PRIOR to the auction’s end. These are antique articles, having the age stated….all flaws if any are painstakingly outlined. The exact color and sizing of an item is the responsibility of the bidder, please read the measurements carefully and ask questions if uncertain. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: THE CHEAP FLAT RATE ENVELOPE SHIPPING TAKES TWO – THREE WEEKS USUALLY and DO NOT have tracking….IF FASTER SHIPPING IS NEEDED OPT FOR THE MORE EXPENSIVE FASTER PRIORITY SHIPMENTS, Express mailings does come with a full tracking number. If you have any questions or require any additional photo please feel free to contact me. Thanks for looking!

From Me:

Hello New People!

I'm sorry this is late today. It is very much an 1890's bodice.