Antique Victorian Silk Day Dress

Glorious antique blue silk with white dots is combined with rich velvet on this fancy, late Victorian gown. The skirt is lavishly trimmed above the hemline with six ruffles, five with knife pleats and one of velvet for contrast. The back of the skirt has two panels attached at the waistline that fan out to the hemline and flow freely in the back. The panel on the right covers a hidden pocket as shown in photos. Closure is with hook and eye at the back of the waistband. Lined at the hemline with stiffened cotton with a small windowpane pattern and a detachable pleated organdy and lace ruffle that is basted in place.

The fitted bodice is trimmed with velvet at the cuffs, armscyes and for the stand up collar. The waistline is accented with ruching at the front and back and a soft ruffle outlining the hem. The ruffle is weighted in the back. Collar closes with hooks and eyes and the front opening with buttons, the four at the top are blue glass accented with cut steel applied ornaments while the five at the bottom are flat self covered buttons. The six missing buttons could be made to match the self covered buttons by using fabric from the inside of the hem of the back panels of the skirt or from the inside of the bodice ruffle. Boned in the front, back and sides. The bones at the front of the bodice have broken through their casings which will need to be replaced or reinforced.

The overall condition is good to very good with minor wear noted as shown to the under side of the sleeves as well as five or six small rust colored spots on the front of the skirt with no associated weakness of the fabric. In addition the silk that lines the hem of one of the ruffles has ripped and come unstitched and the ruffle needs to be stitched back in place in the same area. Rather than removing or replacing the lining I have left it for the next owner to decide. The ruffle itself has not torn, just needs to be reattached to the skirt.

Bust ~ 30"
Waist ~ 24"
Bodice Length ~17.5" plus 5" ruffle
Shoulders Across the Back ~ 11.5"
Skirt Length ~ 43"
Sweep ~ 96.5"