I have been given a dress by an old lady who told me it was her grandmother's wedding dress in the 1890s. I have some doubts. I think it is rayon - now I know rayon was starting to be introduced at that time as artificial silk... but hmm. It is rayon cutwork there is internal connected netting and under that muslin inserts to the hips, front and back. There are loosely inserted shoulder pads. There is also a separate slip in ivory and cream which is definitely silk. There are popper studs and hooks to fasten at the side (these look horribly recent, so either they are a replacement or this is a strong indicator this is not original) It doesnt look as aged as I might expect although there are some brown age spots and a few holes on the lining. Any ideas anyone whether this might be original or whether it is some kind of theatrical replica?
Victorian Wedding Dress 1890's or theatrical repro?
- Thread starter Lynette
- Start date
I thought rayon was introduced in the 1920s.
If its not a reproduction, my guess would be early 40s
If its not a reproduction, my guess would be early 40s
Vinclothes
Alumni +
The fabric in the dress was popular in the 1940's. The slip/under dress looks much older, perhaps 1910's.
Has anyone done a blog on how confused family reports on older clothing can be. And how to handle it tactfully when buying? I'd like to know how others handle it.
Marian
Has anyone done a blog on how confused family reports on older clothing can be. And how to handle it tactfully when buying? I'd like to know how others handle it.
Marian
I found this on wikipedia:
Production of rayon for textiles started in 1899 in the Vereinigte Glanzstoff Fabriken AG in Oberbruch. Improvement[citation needed] by the J. P. Bemberg AG in 1904 made the artificial silk a product comparable to real silk.
I think you could be right - it is just too plain, and although I think white/ivory was becoming more commonly used, it just doesnt look or feel right to me.
Production of rayon for textiles started in 1899 in the Vereinigte Glanzstoff Fabriken AG in Oberbruch. Improvement[citation needed] by the J. P. Bemberg AG in 1904 made the artificial silk a product comparable to real silk.
I think you could be right - it is just too plain, and although I think white/ivory was becoming more commonly used, it just doesnt look or feel right to me.
It looks 40s to me as well and I agree that the slip is older and could be from about the 1910 period.
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Hi,
Another vote for 1940's on the dress on all counts. There is nothing 1890's about it either in fabric or in style. I cannot tell when the slip is from, but it does not appear to be original to the dress and does have a vaguely 1917-ish silhouette.
Another vote for 1940's on the dress on all counts. There is nothing 1890's about it either in fabric or in style. I cannot tell when the slip is from, but it does not appear to be original to the dress and does have a vaguely 1917-ish silhouette.
Sky Ranch Vintage
Alumni +
Another vote for 40's. Those design aspects and fabric content scream 40's.
Thanks all, that is really helpful. Maybe the petticoat came from the lady's grandmother... but as you say, the dress is of a much later date. Funny how when someone tells you something categorically, although it doesnt feel/look right, you can almost suspend all your instinct, particularly as I really deal in current second hand and vintage is just a small and occasional off shoot for me, so I dont always feel very confident of my judgement. Thanks again, Lynette
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
I agree with the others; very early '40s for the dress, and earlier for the petticoat, maybe Edwardian. I've found quite a few wedding gowns have older petticoats, I wonder if they were the mother's, and it was the "old" in "something old".
Only yesterday a man brought me his mother's wedding dress from 1943 - what we found when we opened the bag was his sister's dress from the late '60s. Apparently for decades the mother had been telling everyone it had been her dress! I love old ladies, but they can be unreliable for datings.
Only yesterday a man brought me his mother's wedding dress from 1943 - what we found when we opened the bag was his sister's dress from the late '60s. Apparently for decades the mother had been telling everyone it had been her dress! I love old ladies, but they can be unreliable for datings.
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
Maybe it was her second wedding!