I have a dress that appears homemade, once worn by my ggrandmother, a NY farmer. She lived 1854 to 1928. I have a bag of undies that I would like to match to the dress. And display the outfit on a full mannequin. Presently the dress is just thrown over the mannequin in this pix. It has a train.
Date My GGreatgrandmothers Dress
- Thread starter jclothi
- Start date
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hello,
The general cut of the dress looks vaguely late 1800's, but we need better photos to determine that. I am wanting to see the undies!
The general cut of the dress looks vaguely late 1800's, but we need better photos to determine that. I am wanting to see the undies!
pastperfect2
Alumni +
What I can say so far is that it looks like a wrapper, a type of dress that was worn at home from the 1860s - 1890s. It would have been floor length in front (too short for the mannequin!) so that the back was a train. Is there a waist tie attached at the back waist on the inside? Can we see a photo of the back? Are there pleats at the back waist?
My first impression is an 1880s wrapper, but more photos would be great. If that is the case, you may want to look for a camisole, corset, bloomers and petticoat, and even a corset cover for under it.
Hollis
My first impression is an 1880s wrapper, but more photos would be great. If that is the case, you may want to look for a camisole, corset, bloomers and petticoat, and even a corset cover for under it.
Hollis
Jonathan
VFG Member
I would have said early-mid 1870s, but it might be into the 80s, however the full button front and the plaid are typical of the 1860s/70s and the black trim and open sleeves look right for then too but I would need to see the back. If I can make a plea for the dress. It's nice to display family things for special occasions, but this sort of garment is very fragile and it will fade and fall apart very quickly if put on a mannequin without any protection from light, dust, or handling, and for any length of time. Perhaps one of the undergarments framed in a shadow box would suffice? They are hardier and can stand longer periods of exposure to light.
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
I agree with Jonathan - better photos will help but I think it's likely from the 1870 or '80s. The "train" is probably a bustle skirt, and needs padding or a construction underneath to make it sit properly. I agree with Hollis in that it's designed for a much shorter woman than your mannequin: we all were much shorter in 19th century!
Is it a stripe or a plaid? Tartan fabrics were very popular in the 1870s after they were adopted by Queen Victoria, who spent a lot of time in her widowhood with Mr Brown, a Scotsman. She revived the ancient art and many new tartans were designed during this time.
Is it a stripe or a plaid? Tartan fabrics were very popular in the 1870s after they were adopted by Queen Victoria, who spent a lot of time in her widowhood with Mr Brown, a Scotsman. She revived the ancient art and many new tartans were designed during this time.
Wow, thank you 4 people for great response to my query! I will take a closeup pix and post here. The dress material is chintz and is fully lined. People around here are not sympathetic to my interest. I am 80, "getting my affairs in order", and it would be so nice if a family member would come forth and take over custody of the old family stuff.
Why doesnt somebody create a perpetual storage facility, where families can leave papers and photos for future generations? As it is, the average person moves too frequently and is liable to lose/discard items with each move. For example, we all have seen someone's personal belongings piled into the street, evicted because one could not pay rent, etc. In my case, I have lost 1/2 of the things that grandma asked me to preserve and pass along.
Why doesnt somebody create a perpetual storage facility, where families can leave papers and photos for future generations? As it is, the average person moves too frequently and is liable to lose/discard items with each move. For example, we all have seen someone's personal belongings piled into the street, evicted because one could not pay rent, etc. In my case, I have lost 1/2 of the things that grandma asked me to preserve and pass along.
Tabbyannabel
Registered Guest
If none of your family are interested in your lovely dress, you could always see if a local public museum would be interested. That way it would be preserved as it should be.