need help dating blouse (possible antique?)

[persephone60]

I need help with a blouse--it could possibly be an antique, but I think more likely a more recent reproduction, but I don't know enough about antique clothing to be sure.

It's a thin linen (or possibly cotton) with lace trim, buttons up the back, and snaps on the sleeve. I've taken pictures of the buttons, snaps, interior seams (which are mostly serged/overlock), and the remains of the tag, which was cut out. The sleeves also have a cream facing on the insides of the shoulders to make them puff out. The fabric and lace feel "older," but given the interior details, I'm thinking this is vintage but not antique, but I'd really appreciate opinions of people who have more expertise than I do. Thanks!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Your blouse looks antique to me, from the Edwardian to 'Teens WWI era. However I think it may have been remodeled in some way, with replaced buttons, added lace, snaps etc. It is difficult to be sure without actually handling it. The high collar is more of a pre 1910 style, but it does not look as if it is that old. It may be something made to look older, made of older parts of another blouse.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I agree with you persephone60, it looks like a late '70s Edwardian revival style. There are a few giveaways, like plastic faux mother of pearl buttons and old style lace, but the main one is the overlocking - you don't find this in garments of the early 20th century. The cut out tag also points to commercial manufacture, and the remaining portion looks modern.

These can be hard to pick at times, as the style can look very similar to antique fashions but the construction will generally give them away.

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

Hi persephone60,
I agree with 70's or very possibly even later. The lace looks nylon to me, and those plastic buttons are a give away as well.
But as a reproduction, from the outside its a very good one, and very pretty!

 

[Pinkcoke]

There were a few companies in the 70's and 80's who were making antique style blouses to the level they were almost exact reproductions - this one reminds me very much of Laura Ashley though I don't think the label remnant is close enough of a match (it looks too wide), here is an example that shares many similarities.

 

[Vinclothes]

The fabric certainly looks like it is linen.
Marian

 

[persephone60]

Gayle, thanks!

Pinkcoke, you're right the label is too wide to be Laura Ashley.

Marian, thanks! It felt like linen to me.

Thanks, all--good to know my instincts were right.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

I did not even see it had a commercial tag, I just looked at the first few photos. I politely disagree with Nicole that serging and overlocking are never found on garments of the early 20th century (it was around then) , but agree that it is not at all common, especially for a lightweight blouse like yours, which is why I figured the overlock stitching was done when the blouse was remodeled. I also mentioned that the buttons and lace were added later and looked newer. Had I taken the time and seen the commercial tag I would not have dated it earlier. So I should take my time before giving my opinion!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Apologies for the confusion Barbara, I should have written "garments of_this type in_ the early 20th century".

To clarify, you're quite right - overlocking was invented in the late 19th century but was initially used for menswear, and utilitarian fashions. I've seen it in ladies lingerie of the '20s but not in ladieswear like blouses, dresses until the '30s. As well, there is a difference in the overlocking stitches in early overlockers, and more modern overlockers.

It's a lovely blouse and very Edwardian in style - it's always limiting to view a garment from a few photographs, it's never as good as actually holding in when all kinds of information is easily conveyed.

I agree that the fabric looks like linen.

 

[persephone60]

Barbara, no worries. Also, thank you to you and Nicole for the additional info on overlock stitching--I wasn't familiar with when it was first used, etc.