{"product_id":"croquet-dress-ca-1888-antique-dresses-antique-gown-victorian-dress-sport-clothing-antique-sport-croquet-sport","title":"Antique Victorian Croquet Dress, ca. 1888 – 19th‑Century Sport Ensemble","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe present here an \u003cstrong\u003eextraordinary rarity\u003c\/strong\u003e: an authentic \u003cstrong\u003e19th‑century croquet dress\u003c\/strong\u003e, known in period fashion magazines as a \u003cem\u003e“croquet dress”\u003c\/em\u003e—a term that immediately evokes the refined leisure culture of the Victorian era. More than a garment, this ensemble is a vivid \u003cstrong\u003ewindow into a bygone world\u003c\/strong\u003e, when outdoor pastimes such as croquet were not merely games but \u003cstrong\u003ehighly social events\u003c\/strong\u003e. Women dressed for these occasions in carefully coordinated outfits that expressed status, taste, and personality, making this ensemble a remarkable survivor of its time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe antique dress is a \u003cstrong\u003etwo‑piece set\u003c\/strong\u003e consisting of a bodice and skirt, both crafted from \u003cstrong\u003estriped and checked silk\u003c\/strong\u003e in harmonious shades of \u003cstrong\u003epeach, brown, and blue\u003c\/strong\u003e. The color palette is further enriched by \u003cstrong\u003eblue silk velvet\u003c\/strong\u003e on the collar and cuffs, adding a striking visual accent. On the right side of the bodice, a \u003cstrong\u003eblue silk bow\u003c\/strong\u003e draws the eye—an intentional decorative flourish designed to highlight the wearer as she prepared to strike the croquet ball. The bodice fastens at the front with \u003cstrong\u003eround buttons\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the \u003cstrong\u003elong sleeves\u003c\/strong\u003e are finished with delicate \u003cstrong\u003elace edging\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe skirt displays the characteristic silhouette of the \u003cstrong\u003ebustle period\u003c\/strong\u003e, complete with an \u003cstrong\u003eintegrated underskirt\u003c\/strong\u003e that supports its shape. Despite its age, the ensemble is in \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent condition\u003c\/strong\u003e. Tiny stains, minimal wear, slight discoloration on the lace cuffs, gentle velvet abrasion, and a few missing hooks and eyes at the waist are minor and do not detract from its historical integrity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompleting the ensemble is a \u003cstrong\u003eblue velvet hood\u003c\/strong\u003e, adorned with a \u003cstrong\u003ebrown feather\u003c\/strong\u003e, which adds a graceful and atmospheric touch. It not only protects the wearer from the sun but also underscores the \u003cstrong\u003efashionable sophistication\u003c\/strong\u003e of the era—an accessory that perfectly complements the dress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEqually captivating is the \u003cstrong\u003ewooden croquet box\u003c\/strong\u003e containing \u003cstrong\u003eten rackets\u003c\/strong\u003e. Though the colors have faded and the balls and goals are missing, the set remains a powerful testament to Victorian leisure culture. The \u003cstrong\u003epaper label\u003c\/strong\u003e inside the lid, depicting elegantly dressed ladies at play, offers a vivid impression of how croquet was enjoyed. The printed term \u003cstrong\u003e“legally protected”\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003egesetzlich geschützt\u003c\/em\u003e) dates the label to \u003cstrong\u003epost‑1876 Germany\u003c\/strong\u003e, adding another layer of historical context.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTogether, this ensemble of \u003cstrong\u003edress, hood, and croquet rackets\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a rare and immersive insight into \u003cstrong\u003e19th‑century society\u003c\/strong\u003e, where fashion and leisure intertwined seamlessly. It reminds us how people of the past spent their time with elegance, refinement, and a keen sense of style—an exceptional piece of cultural history for collectors, museums, and admirers of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" data-url=\"ca:\/\/s?q=Learn_about_Victorian_fashion\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eVictorian fashion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" data-url=\"ca:\/\/s?q=Explore_19th_century_leisure_culture\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e19th‑century leisure culture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDress\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWaist: approx. 50 cm \u003cbr\u003eChest: approx. 73 cm \u003cbr\u003eLength: approx. 122 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eDimensions: approx. 95 × 28 × 18 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther Antique Sport Items: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/baseball-sport-clothing-america-1920s?_pos=4\u0026amp;amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;amp;_ss=r\"\u003ehttps:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/baseball-sport-clothing-america-1920s?_pos=4\u0026amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;_ss=r\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/victorian-cape-ca-1898-antique-cape-antique-clothes-antiker-umhang?_pos=8\u0026amp;amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;amp;_ss=r\"\u003ehttps:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/victorian-cape-ca-1898-antique-cape-antique-clothes-antiker-umhang?_pos=8\u0026amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;_ss=r\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/sport-cotton-sateen-lace-boots-ca-1875?_pos=5\u0026amp;amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;amp;_ss=r\"\u003ehttps:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/sport-cotton-sateen-lace-boots-ca-1875?_pos=5\u0026amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;_ss=r\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/antique-gown.com\/products\/sport-cotton-sateen-lace-boots-ca-1875?_pos=5\u0026amp;amp;_sid=ef9a2a3dc\u0026amp;amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique Gown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55340866470275,"sku":"","price":1490.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0913\/1897\/6899\/files\/antique-croquet-dress-1888.jpg?v=1745124965","url":"https:\/\/www.antique-gown.com\/products\/croquet-dress-ca-1888-antique-dresses-antique-gown-victorian-dress-sport-clothing-antique-sport-croquet-sport","provider":"ANTIQUE GOWN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}