Tea gown, 1870/80, unknown maker. Texas Fashion Collection, UNT College of Visual Arts + Design digital library. They say: “Formal tea gown of green print cotton in multicolored floral print ... pink satin cuffs, bodice and tucks at side. Watteau pleats down center back. ... Lined in olive green polished cotton.” #fashionhistory #victorian #teagown #floral #historicalfashion #historicaldress #victorianfashion #19thcentury #fashion #researchingtheromance

Purple was one of the most fashionable—and versatile—colors of the Victorian era.

Once the tea gown was wearable, I added a few extra bits and bobs. First, covered buttons. I bought several sizes, since I didn’t know which would look best on the finished gown, and ended up…

Tea gown Design House: House of Worth Designer: Jean-Philippe Worth Date: 1900–1901 Culture: French Medium: silk Accession Number: 2009.300.2498

I gave you an extra few days for Rate the Dress, because last week’s was so late. And I’m still feeling very rushed and busy, so have picked a Rate the Dress that’s all about relaxing, albeit in the poshest way possible. Last Week: an 1860s fancy dress Last week’s Rate the dress was fancy in a different way to this weeks: fancy dress, rather than fancy, fancy. But what we could see of the trim and construction was also quite fancy: indicating a very well made, high quality item, for a client…

Tea gown of silk velvet, embroidered with coloured silks, England, 1895-1900

From the seller: legant couture 1860’s Civil War Ball gown over coat in amazing condition. French Pastel cream watered silk fabric with pink Roses. Embellished with the best carved Mother of Pearl buttons, front and back. A sewing masterpiece with front and back rows of gorgeous ruching, and also on the sleeve armyces intense cartridge pleating. Aside from a few tiny hold to light pinholes and a little seam opening in the back it is in excellent condition. No stains, ripping, tears or real…

The sleeves and collar of this teagown reference the early 17th century, which was a common period for Worth to draw from. Although it appears to be a loose garment, the understructure is boned. Even though the garment would not have required such structure for its use, women were often more comfortable when retaining their armor

Liberty tea gown ca. 1897From Kerry Taylor Auctions, a post from the blog Fripperies and Fobs on Bloglovin’