Edwardian or Victorian Piece? What do I call this?

[lapoubellevintage]

Hey guys! Would love your help with this piece that I believe is Victorian or Edwardian. It's done in a very delicate silk/cotton blend from the feel of it with silk net lace trim and a velvet ribbon up the front. Bodice closes up the front with a series of hook and eyes. The ribbon feels newer to me, likely not original. Do you think this piece is Edwardian or Victorian? Or am I way off? And what would you call this kind of piece? Blouse just doesn't seem to do it justice...

 

[Pinkcoke]

I suspect the ribbon and ribbon loops are not original too - it's very hard to make out much because the black has caused the camera to over-expose the image in compensation for the dark colour. Can you photograph it again without the black ribbon if possible?

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Interesting piece. I suspect that it's a costume - firstly because it has elements of 18th century fashion but looks to be much more modern. Secondly, the back of the polonaise style skirt is incorrect, suggesting that whoever designed/made it wasn't that knowledgeable about how these skirts look from behind.

To determine age, can you please show close up photos of the lace, and lace up opening and the interior construction.

It would have had a long under-skirt originally - there are better examples out there, but this gives you an idea of the sort of look they were going for - but of course, much more elaborate.

Madame de Pompador painted by Maurice Quentin de la Tour in the mid 18th century (1748-1755)

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

I have a very similar piece made in the 30s from feedsacking to mimic this earlier era as a costume.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

It looks very much like a Little Bo Peep or Dolly Varden costume from the early 20th century. There was a brief revival of this style in women's fashion around 1914 - 1915 (or thereabouts) and if the fabric and lace are silk or fine quality, it is possible this was actually part of a dress meant for street wear, that got modified with the black ribbons for later use as a costume.

It is very pretty!

 

[lapoubellevintage]

Thank you for your responses! Here are some more photos of the fabric and construction.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Thank you for the additional photos. I can't see close enough but from what I can see, the construction looks home-made '50s. The fabric appears to be cotton. It has a nice watercolour style print and the lace could be a little older, it looks like a silk tulle perhaps from the '30s. I think I can see some hand finishing but the construction is not quality.

I agree with Barbara in that it was likely a Little Bo Peep costume. I agree with Melanie in that the ribbon is an addition. Originally it was probably worn over a dress or petticoat so that would show in the middle. If you undid and removed the tape/ribbon arrangement you could see if the neckline sat well without it.

 

[lapoubellevintage]

Thank you all for your input, that makes sense!