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Check out the latest garments we're archiving, behind the scenes pictures, and a whole lot more!

1950s Evening Dress

Detail of Bodice

Detail of trim

 This dress is a beautiful example of 1950s construction and styling.  The bodice is made of a layer of pink taffeta lining and a layer of net that move independently from one another.  The taffeta layer has band of  gathered nylon gauze set into the neckline and pressed into small knife pleats.

The independent nylon layer floats free from the taffeta under layer and mimics the sweetheart neckline.  The top layer of nylon has a scrolling Rococo pattern created by gray dupioni edged by cording flat lined to another layer of nylon for strength. 

Vertical and horizontal bust darts shape both pieces, each layer has a separate zipper set into the left side.  The upper edge is finished with a piece of taffeta bias, and the dress has spaghetti straps made of nylon gauze.  There is one line of boning in each side seams.

The 3 layer skirt is cut in a 3/4 circle.  The under layer is made of the pink taffeta hemmed with  a 3” wide piece of horsehair to give the skirt body.  The two other layers are purple nylon gauze with a slight rolled hem.  the middle layer is 1” longer than both the lining and the outer layer.  The outer layer has scrolling dupioni pattern with cording that matches the bodice. 

Skirt detail

Post Edwardian Striped Bodice

The bodice is built with a false jacket detail popular during this time period.  The center front of the bodice has a gentle v-neck accented with a  black band of trim.  The striped fabric falls gracefully from the ribbon to a gathered detail at waistline, and the center front is accented by velvet covered buttons.  


The bodice is built onto a 2” wide petersham ribbon.  There is an attached belt of striped fabric with black velvet ribbon to finish off the top. The belt is missing a piece, which makes the photographs seem unfinished.  

The closures are hidden under a placket on the front left side of the body that extends up to the shoulder.  The bodice is lined with netting to give it more body without bulk.

The 3/4 length sleeves are set into the armscye with piping, are only slightly gathered at the cap, and have a detail of piping and buttons that run down the top of the sleeve to the hem.  There are 3 pintucks on the inside of the arm to shape the sleeves.  the cuff of the sleeve has a folded, gathered ruffle of striped fabric, a band of black velvet ribbon and a gathered band of scalloped edged needlepoint lace.

Late Edwardian Lace Blouse

The bodice is made entirely of lace set into a striped pattern:  wavy embroidered lines on net, a crocheted open pattern, and a needlepoint floral pattern.  The shape of bodice is very basic with minimal shaping--no darts or princess seams--and minimal gathering in the center front.  The bodice has a piece of lace that is set to give it the look of a faux blouse front.  Below the false blouse front there are two pintucks that open 4” down.  Additionally, there are two pintucks that extend from the shoulder seam to the bottom of the sleeve. 

The bodice closes up the center back with white shell buttons and a hidden button placket.  The bodice is lined on the inside with sheer, soft china silk that has significant damage. 

The sleeve are 3/4 length and a mix of the wavy striped and the crocheted open pattern, with a band of the needlepoint floral lace at the bottom. Two rows of 1/2” net have been box pleated around the bottom of the sleeve. 

There is a ruffled neck piece that appears to have been added on to the garment.  it is made of machine lace with a zig-zagged edge and polka dots embroidered onto the net.  it is set just below the crochet lace stand collar and extends to the back.

1910 Gold Silk Dress

Lovely floor length gold silk crepe dress, with a slightly higher than natural waist. It sports a higher square neckline, and just a hint of a pigeon front. The outer sleeves are cut in the kimono style, as a part of the bodice, and notched on the outside. The under sleeves are separate from the bodice, more fitted, and covered in 1” tucks. 
Both collar and sleeves are decorated with a beautiful hand made lace. The lace crosses the outer part of the bodice, and lines the split front of the dress, as well as creating a V-shape on the back of the bodice. Inside the lace V, the front of the bodice is covered in tucks similar to the under sleeves. 
Closures on this dress are a little confusing. The bodice lining fastens down the center front with hooks and eyes, but the outer dress fabric does not fasten here at all, because it is partially sewn to the lining, and simply hangs closed. The rest of the dress fastens with hooks and eyes starting at the point of the lace V in front and proceeding down along the lace line on the left side of the dress. The closures are well hidden in the fabric.
The fabric of this dress is very delicate and lightweight. It is amazing how wonderful it has held up in storage. The lace is in less perfect condition unfortunately. Time and moisture have caused it to become yellowed and stained.
This garment is probably from 
very close to the year 1910, given that it shows some of the sleeve characteristics of a year or two earlier, but a silhouette that is similar to dresses made a year or two later.
Measurements:
Bust: 41"
Waist: 33"
Hips: 60"
Neck to Waist Front/Back: 13/11.5"
Armscye to Armscye Front/Back: 17/16.5"
Skirt Length: 41

Blog Post By Kelsey Oliver :) My final post

1950s Wedding Gown

This dress is easily my favorite piece in our collection. Its a wedding gown from the 1950s made from a heavy synthetic fabric, netting, and lace. The skirt of this garment is full and floor length,  with an underskirt  made of the heavier synthetic fabric and slightly narrower than each successive layer of netting. There are three layers of netting in all, and the outer most has a finished edge. The skirt ends in back in a long full net train.

The bodice of the gown is fitted, with darts on either side and in front, and is also made of a heavier fabric overlaid with netting. The lace at the neck comes down into a deep V in front but covers enough to remain modest. The necklinemakes a kind of scalloped shallow V, and comes almost off the shoulder, but not quite. The look is very 50s. There are also Vs in the lace at each sleeve, and matching lace at the slightly lowered waist. 
This lace is made with a mesh base covered in embroidery and cutwork. It's scalloped on one side and pointed on the other. 

The short fitted sleeves are made entirely of gathered mesh, overlain with lace.  In back, a long row of mesh covered buttons fastens the back of the dress to below the waist.
This garment is fairly simple in design and construction, but it beautifully captures the essence of the 1950s. And it's in very good shape, especially considering its white and made mostly of netting. The fabric shows slight yellowing all over making it a light cream color, but other than that shows no damage.
Measurements:

Bust: 34"

Waist: 25"

Hips: 60"

Neck to Waist Front/Back: 10.5"/11"

Armscye to Armscye Front/Back: 17"/19"

Skirt Length: 38" (Not Including Train)


Blog Post By Kelsey Oliver :)
 

1910 Cotton Frock

Another cream colored, one-piece dress from the very early 1910s made of a cotton batiste. Yellowing over time has probably caused the color of this dress, likely once white. White was the most popular color for ladies dresses in this decade. 
This dress has fitted 3/4 length kimono style sleeves, which means that the sleeves and bodice are cut out of the same piece of fabric, not sewn together. Fitted sleeves appeared in 1910, as did the kimono style. The higher neckline of this garment is another good indicator that it was worn early in the decade, before necklines made their dramatic drop, around 1914. The looser fit of this garment would also put it very early in the decade, likely no later than 1911, as this is the year narrow tube-like skirts became the norm. 
Decorations include off center bodice ruffles,  pintucks on the bodice and skirt (1/4 apart on bodice and upper skirt, 1/2 apart on lower skirt) and large horizontal tucks to look like trim at the hem; there are 4 rows. The front decoration is made of a machine made diamond ground lace, which is also used at the waist line and along the skirt and sleeve cuffs. The ruffles are a net trimmed with machine made lace.
The only fastenings on this dress are the buttons up the back; the dress fastens from the neck to bellow the waist. Buttoning up the back was another convention that began around 1910.
Overall this dress is in good shape, and the fabric is holding up well, but there are a few stains on the shoulders, front and hem of the garment on top of the fact that the whole piece is slightly discolored.
Measurements
Bust: 35.5"
Waist: 30"
Hips: 50"
Neck to Waist Front and Back: 11.5/11.5"
Armscye to Armscye Front and Back: 24/16.5"
Skirt Length: 34.5"


Blog Post By Kelsey Oliver