Gorgeous two piece antique dress - unsure if it is 1880s or newer

[Coran Beck]

Hello all! As far as I can tell, this is an 1880s (?) style. It is obviously antique, but as I am not a seamstress, my concern is that this was perhaps created for the theater? There is a lot of attention to detail however, and it is made very well (lots of hand stitching, the boning is metal, impeccable pleats, etc.). Any ideas as to when this was created and whether or not it was made for the stage or a woman's closet? Any help would be greatly appreciated- cheers!

 

[Jonathan]

Yes it is. It's hard to be sure exactly where because it's not mounted with the correct undergarments, but it looks middly 80s, not earlier than 1883 and not later than 1888. The damask silk looks like it's inspired by Japanese silk patterns.

 

[pastperfect2]

As always, I concur with Jonathan!

That is one very attractive bustle dress. It would be gorgeous up on a form with the right bustle support.

 

[DaisyandStella]

Hello all! As far as I can tell, this is an 1880s (?) style. It is obviously antique, but as I am not a seamstress, my concern is that this was perhaps created for the theater? There is a lot of attention to detail however, and it is made very well (lots of hand stitching, the boning is metal, impeccable pleats, etc.). Any ideas as to when this was created and whether or not it was made for the stage or a woman's closet? Any help would be greatly appreciated- cheers!

This is gorgeous!

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

A beautiful piece of history.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

hmmm...i would love to see it, but am only able to see one interior image, the others do not show up for me.

 

[retro ruth]

hmmm...i would love to see it, but am only able to see one interior image, the others do not show up for me.

yes there's something screwy with the images, apart from the first one, for me they show up sometimes depending which device/browser I'm using. You could try looking on your phone.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

thanks, Ruth!

 

[Coran Beck]

Hello Jonathan - wow - thank you ever SO much! (And thank you to everyone else who responded - I can't believe it took me so long to discover this site. I am so grateful to all of you for sharing your expertise, and it's SO lovely to connect with others who appreciate vintage/antique pieces as much I do myself!) I'm happy to learn I dated it correctly, and I'm glad to know this is authentic. I have done additional research on 1800s pieces, and I'm curious to know the composition of the brown fabric lining the skirt, as I've seen other antique garments lined with the same or similar material. Thanks again!

Yes it is. It's hard to be sure exactly where because it's not mounted with the correct undergarments, but it looks middly 80s, not earlier than 1883 and not later than 1888. The damask silk looks like it's inspired by Japanese silk patterns.

 

[Coran Beck]

I will re-post photos, as I understand there is some difficulty in viewing them!

Hello Jonathan - wow - thank you ever SO much! (And thank you to everyone else who responded - I can't believe it took me so long to discover this site. I am so grateful to all of you for sharing your expertise, and it's SO lovely to connect with others who appreciate vintage/antique pieces as much I do myself!) I'm happy to learn I dated it correctly, and I'm glad to know this is authentic. I have done additional research on 1800s pieces, and I'm curious to know the composition of the brown fabric lining the skirt, as I've seen other antique garments lined with the same or similar material. Thanks again!

 

[Coran Beck]

Hello all! As far as I can tell, this is an 1880s (?) style. It is obviously antique, but as I am not a seamstress, my concern is that this was perhaps created for the theater? There is a lot of attention to detail however, and it is made very well (lots of hand stitching, the boning is metal, impeccable pleats, etc.). Any ideas as to when this was created and whether or not it was made for the stage or a woman's closet? Any help would be greatly appreciated- cheers!

View attachment 168172

 

[pastperfect2]

The brown fabric is most likely a cotton - I think the weave is a Silesia type. Like the pocketing fabric in older men's suits.

 

[retro ruth]

Strangely the last two photos are still not showing up as they should.

However if I click the image file name I can see them in a separate window.

I can see they are .jpg but the forum is recognising them as text files. It's not an issue I've ever seen before, and I have no answers!

 

[Coran Beck]

I created url links for the last two images (each one has two links) - if this doesn't work I'm not sure what will! (It's really bizarre, these two images upload, but I can't even see the image myself - as I could with the other photos. I've resized them several times, they show as being attached to the post, so I can't understand why they're being so difficult!) Unfortunately, these are the two full length photos, one front and one back. Hope this helps!

 

[Coran Beck]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z9EcgQKA82ygb15FA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ALP3Y2qE8DAv1E2U6
https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/x82X89SdsScd
https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/sihRdFs78DC7

 

[Coran Beck]

Hi Ruth! I added two new posts - the second one should definitely allow you to view the images if you click on or copy and paste the links provided (I tried it myself and it worked - yay!)

I created url links for the last two images (each one has two links) - if this doesn't work I'm not sure what will! (It's really bizarre, these two images upload, but I can't even see the image myself - as I could with the other photos. I've resized them several times, they show as being attached to the post, so I can't understand why they're being so difficult!) Unfortunately, these are the two full length photos, one front and one back. Hope this helps!

Strangely the last two photos are still not showing up as they should.

However if I click the image file name I can see them in a separate window.

I can see they are .jpg but the forum is recognising them as text files. It's not an issue I've ever seen before, and I have no answers!

 

[amandainvermont]

And this ... for those still struggling with those last two... What a beauty.

 

[Coran Beck]

Hi Amanda - thanks ever so much for your assistance with those two images - cheers!

 

[Coran Beck]

Hello all! So the Italian girlfriend of my French nephew is tiny enough to wear this dress - and it's GORGEOUS - even better than I'd hoped it would be. I have attached photos!

Hi Amanda - thanks ever so much for your assistance with those two images - cheers!

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

Just stunning