Children's dresses of the Civil war era were made originally with the growth of a child in mind. So that a child could continue to wear the garment as they grew taller, extra fabric was left at the waistline so that the dress could be lengthened.
A fine Victorian era woven antique shawl that probably originates from
England (Norwich) or Scotland. Twill stripes are in bright primary
colors of red, blue, yellow and green with the addition of black and
white. The effect is dazzling!
Measuring 70" square this shawl is of the type referred to in its
native India as "jamawar" or gown piece which refers to the striped
weave with no borders present. Found in a dress box with the
inscription "Cousin Clara's India Shawl".
A small strip of paper which was found inside indicate this purse dated
to 1840 and belonged to Aunt Catherine. From the Vail family of
Bennington, VT and Springfield, MA.
This mid 19th century silk bonnet is one of the prettiest, most
colorful that I've seen. It is made from pewter gray silk with pink and
copper overtones and stipes in blue purple and light gray.
This delightful Victorian bonnet dating to the 1880s is made of woven
straw and artfully trimmed with rich brown silk and velvet ribbons,
sprays of ivy and a feather panache. The interior is lined in polished
black cotton with a label that reads, Walker, Tremont Street, Boston.
Unusual by today's standards it was not unusual for the wedding dress
in the Victorian era to be a best dress that may or may not have been
white. This Gates family dress from Brattleboro, VT, is made of woven
blue silk with black braided trim. The weave of the blue fabric is open
and the color of the peach silk lining shimmers through it giving an
added dimension.
Made for a pre teen girl or perhaps slightly older this silk party
dress in a blue and white pinstripe is quite beautiful in its
simplicity. The bodice is gathered with a flat yoke and wide neckline.
The short puffed sleeves are fitted with a blue silk ribbon threaded
around the edge.
A classic! This boy's sailor suit dates to the late 1890s or very early
1900s. Though they were popular for young lads of the era, they are not
easily found today. This example is tailored in gray pinstriped wool
with olive green wool trim around the collar, cuffs, neckline and used
for piping.
Dating to the mid 1890s this silk and voided velvet day dress features
leg-o-mutton sleeves and double breasted front styling. The bodice is
has an inset plastron, collar and cuffs of brown velvet sprays on a
golden silk background which is set off nicely by the warm, nut brown
silk of the bodice and skirt.
Harold Koda: Poiret (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications)
Jonathan Walford: The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear
18th Century Costume in the National Museums and Galleries of Mersyside
Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900
Dangerous Liasons: Fashion and Furniture in the Eighteenth Century
What Clothes Reveal: The Language of Clothing in Colonial and Federal America
From Paris to Providence, Fashion, Art and the Tirocchi Dressmakers' Shop, 1915-1947
Style & Splendor: The Wardrobe of Queen Maud of Norway 1896-1938
