Can you please help me date this dress too? :)
- Thread starter furwise
- Start date
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
Hi vgirl - can you please let me about the fastenings? It looks like the blouse fastens via hooks and eyes down the back and the skirt also fastens by hooks? Can you please advise if there is anything else and take photos of them. Is there any boning in the bodice or the stand up neck?
From the information provided so far, I think you have a costume piece, fairly modern but made in an earlier style.
Nicole
From the information provided so far, I think you have a costume piece, fairly modern but made in an earlier style.
Nicole
Hi Nicole, They top has hooks and eyes and the skirt has hooks and eyes. The outfit is cotton exclusive of the lace and there is age spotting inside the collar. The hemming seems to be all straight. There is no boning in this one and I could believe this was a costume piece for sure because there is no boning but I think it may have been made awhile ago too based on the age spotting and it is very small. The skirt did not close on my mannequin.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hi,
This dress's fabric and lace is the same as a dress I have that is circa 1900 to 1908..the skirt's cut is very similar too...and only the sleeves on mine are longer and not so puffy. That fabric looks exactly (and I mean exactly) like several summer dresses I have from circa the first decade of the 20th century.
I don't think the fabric and lace are new...I think it is definitely (dare I say that?) early Edwardian Era fabric and lace....and perhaps this was modified for a costume, but made from a genuine Edwardian garment with slight modifications.
I think the petticoat underneath is wrong for the dress and gives it the wrong silhouette. Also, I suspect there would be a co-ordinating or matching belt/"girdle" worn with this to give the dress more shaping.
I am curious to see what everyone thinks!
B
This dress's fabric and lace is the same as a dress I have that is circa 1900 to 1908..the skirt's cut is very similar too...and only the sleeves on mine are longer and not so puffy. That fabric looks exactly (and I mean exactly) like several summer dresses I have from circa the first decade of the 20th century.
I don't think the fabric and lace are new...I think it is definitely (dare I say that?) early Edwardian Era fabric and lace....and perhaps this was modified for a costume, but made from a genuine Edwardian garment with slight modifications.
I think the petticoat underneath is wrong for the dress and gives it the wrong silhouette. Also, I suspect there would be a co-ordinating or matching belt/"girdle" worn with this to give the dress more shaping.
I am curious to see what everyone thinks!
B
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Here is a photo of a dress from 1905...very similar lines...
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hi,
The fabric on yours looks to be a printed linen, similar to linen batiste.
B
The fabric on yours looks to be a printed linen, similar to linen batiste.
B
Barbara, Yes. You are right. I found this link for a little girls early 1900's dress. It is the same fabric.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...rue&rt=nc&si=agpuncGfbpL%2BAs3dSCDyF7wKh3E%3D
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...rue&rt=nc&si=agpuncGfbpL%2BAs3dSCDyF7wKh3E%3D
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
As a costumer, I'm very aware of how a skilled costumer can reproduce earlier styles - and as a vintage trader I'm aware of how hard it can be to date things from only a few photos. I recently bought a collection from a film costume designer, and was amazed at how authentic some of the costumes were - often they use vintage materials and detailing, it's only the construction that can reveal the truth.
I agree that the lace could be old, although I'm less convinced that the cotton is old - it looks too new to be over a hundred years old and the style too simple and unstructured. I would expect an authentic ensemble of this era to have more hooks and eyes, for them to be larger and brass (not the small and shiny silver ones that seem to be here). The neck is usually held up with bones, as is the bodice (although the bodice bones are not always present). The necks are usually higher at the back and lower at the front - your neck is extremely high at the front, it would be uncomfortable to wear. This style reminds me of the Edwardian-revival blouses that were popular in the late '70-early '80s.
Perhaps if you tell me more about it: does it have any hand finishing? What is the interior of the bodice like? Can you show a close up of the seams? The type of cotton it is made of is popular and has been available at many times in history. As I said before, on the available information I believe this to be a costume rather than period dress.
Nicole
I agree that the lace could be old, although I'm less convinced that the cotton is old - it looks too new to be over a hundred years old and the style too simple and unstructured. I would expect an authentic ensemble of this era to have more hooks and eyes, for them to be larger and brass (not the small and shiny silver ones that seem to be here). The neck is usually held up with bones, as is the bodice (although the bodice bones are not always present). The necks are usually higher at the back and lower at the front - your neck is extremely high at the front, it would be uncomfortable to wear. This style reminds me of the Edwardian-revival blouses that were popular in the late '70-early '80s.
Perhaps if you tell me more about it: does it have any hand finishing? What is the interior of the bodice like? Can you show a close up of the seams? The type of cotton it is made of is popular and has been available at many times in history. As I said before, on the available information I believe this to be a costume rather than period dress.
Nicole
Hi Nicole, I sincerely appreciate your effort to assist me. It means a lot.
I was taking some photos to show you the inside and low and behold I discovered boning in the back of the neck.
The little hooks and eyes do look to be in good condition. There are a lot of them but maybe they were replaced over time?
The hooks and eyes in the skirt are bigger.
Much of the garment has hand finishing.
Here are some additional photos.
I was taking some photos to show you the inside and low and behold I discovered boning in the back of the neck.
The little hooks and eyes do look to be in good condition. There are a lot of them but maybe they were replaced over time?
The hooks and eyes in the skirt are bigger.
Much of the garment has hand finishing.
Here are some additional photos.
pastperfect2
Alumni +
The style of the dress may well be a bit earlier than 1905. More 1895 ish with the volume and length of the sleeves.
Could we see a photo of the top on the form with out the skirt? I ask because while the construction looks period with that type hook and the silk binding of the collar seam, the gathers, etc. it appears the top is a loose tuck-in type blouse, and I am confused by that as most tops were a waist seamed bodice, even if they were not boned.
I am not saying there weren't exceptions, and I have seen period dresses with that few hooks down the back. This may be a garment that you will need to show someone who can actually get their hands on it to tell the age.
Hollis
Could we see a photo of the top on the form with out the skirt? I ask because while the construction looks period with that type hook and the silk binding of the collar seam, the gathers, etc. it appears the top is a loose tuck-in type blouse, and I am confused by that as most tops were a waist seamed bodice, even if they were not boned.
I am not saying there weren't exceptions, and I have seen period dresses with that few hooks down the back. This may be a garment that you will need to show someone who can actually get their hands on it to tell the age.
Hollis
Hi Hollis, This one I believe could have been a costume piece or reproduction made in the 70s or so. My reason for thinking so is because it looks like it has some age but it does not feel as old as I would expect a piece this of the sought after period's style to feel.
The top has a loose waist as well. It is not fitted.
I am really not sure so I think the best thing for me to do would be to just offer as a possible costume piece from the period and let the possible buyer decide if they decide to purchase it.
Thank you all.
The top has a loose waist as well. It is not fitted.
I am really not sure so I think the best thing for me to do would be to just offer as a possible costume piece from the period and let the possible buyer decide if they decide to purchase it.
Thank you all.
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
HI,
My last word. I think all 3 pieces you have kindly shared with us, are all original antique or vintage garments. However, all 3 have been altered at some point to make them fit a new wearer, and a strong possibility is that this was done for use as a costume for a film or play...both to fit a new wearer/s and possibly to alter the style to fit a time period.
All the fabrics used in these dresses are clearly antique or vintage. The alterations are shown and obvious. I certainly respect the opinions of the others, and this forum has room for all to share, but my 35 years of researching antique clothing (including working with professional costumers for film and theatre) tells me they are not reproductions.
Although they may have been altered or used as a costume, to sell them as simply as "costume" may be a mistake, in my opinion. You would miss reaching the antique clothing collectors market who would still be very interested in these garments, regardless of the alterations.
OK...my two cents has been spent.
B
My last word. I think all 3 pieces you have kindly shared with us, are all original antique or vintage garments. However, all 3 have been altered at some point to make them fit a new wearer, and a strong possibility is that this was done for use as a costume for a film or play...both to fit a new wearer/s and possibly to alter the style to fit a time period.
All the fabrics used in these dresses are clearly antique or vintage. The alterations are shown and obvious. I certainly respect the opinions of the others, and this forum has room for all to share, but my 35 years of researching antique clothing (including working with professional costumers for film and theatre) tells me they are not reproductions.
Although they may have been altered or used as a costume, to sell them as simply as "costume" may be a mistake, in my opinion. You would miss reaching the antique clothing collectors market who would still be very interested in these garments, regardless of the alterations.
OK...my two cents has been spent.
B
Hello again B, I thanked you in one thread already and will thank you in the other thread after this post. Thank you for responding in all three. You clearly went above and beyond to prevent me from describing my items in a way that would contribute to a loss. I truly appreciate that and the knowledge that you have shared.
pastperfect2
Alumni +
The loose top is interesting, but not a definite dater. I have handled looser blouses from this general era and they didn't have many closures, so it is quite possible it is original construction. I just wanted to be sure I was reading the photos correctly.
I completely agree this is an older dress. And if it has been modified, it wasn't very much, if at all. From what I can see, think you could safely date this 1895- 1905, with possible later adjustments. It appears 'home sewn' rather than dressmaker made.The hooks are right, and the construction I can see looks of the period, just not the highest quality.
Hollis
I completely agree this is an older dress. And if it has been modified, it wasn't very much, if at all. From what I can see, think you could safely date this 1895- 1905, with possible later adjustments. It appears 'home sewn' rather than dressmaker made.The hooks are right, and the construction I can see looks of the period, just not the highest quality.
Hollis