Two piece afternoon dress, ca. 1907. This antique bodice blouse features an under-layer of black silk taffeta with an overlay of sheer organza. The taffeta is pleated vertically all around and the organza is delicately embroidered in a variegated pinstriped pattern. It is embellished with a cream colored yoke insert of embroidered net lace & silk satin trimmed with silk velvet. The high necked collar, trimmed in ruffled ivory silk crepe, wraps around and closes on top of the left shoulder & in the back. The blouse itself closes in the front with many pairs of metal hooks & eyes on a corseted, fully boned silk taffeta lining. There’s a pleated cummerbund belt attached at the waist which secures on the left side of the bodice. The long sleeves have full, pleated upper arms and fitted narrow forearms which end in tapered “cuffs” trimmed in velvet and cream silk crepe.
The full matching skirt, fashioned from the same pleated silk taffeta and organza overlay, has at least one additional layer of lining (this is a heavy piece!). It has a muslin waistband, flat front, and layered ruffled flounce. A hidden placket closes the skirt in the back with several pairs of snaps as well as 2 sets of hooks and eyes at the waist; on either side of this placket are hooks to attach to the bodice. The entire skirt is lined in silk with the ruffled hemline being quite weighty and trimmed with an additional protective band around the inner edge.
Overall not so good to good condition. There are some breaks in the lace yoke in the bodice back; there are some separations in the taffeta under the yoke on the left; some minor discoloration on the lining’s left side; some minor surface wear on the forearms; tiny separations at one or two of the lining’s closures. On the skirt: there’s a small separation of the waistband at the left hip as well as in the back at the closures; possible minor surface wear elsewhere. Not wearable condition. The decoration is not included.
Waist: ~ 32"
Bust: ~ 36"
Sleeve Length: ~ 23"
Shoulder to Shoulder: ~ 15"