My 1910s daydreams came true... this little darling found its way to my closet!
I found this lovely frock at the antique store a few weekends ago. It was marked at $30.00, which I'll admit is a steep price for me on such a frippery, but the booth was 25% off to boot, and for an Edwardian day dress that is in quite wearable condition... well, I'd have been silly to pass it up! Oh, and did I mention that it's my size exactly? It's seen better days, OK; I do believe the fabric has faded a bit over the years, as you can see around the seams, and there are some smatterings of rust spots. However, these age marks blend into the exquisite floral pattern ever so well, adding heaps to its charisma and spooky-sweet charm. Now, be a dear and humor me as I gush over all the dainty details...
The fact it has the original belt is wonderful!
This is the best picture in terms of true color... it was a rainy day when I took these, and the indoor lamp light shed a golden glow on things. Here you see the worst of the foxing. I may try giving it a little rinse with some gentle soap sometime, but I'd hate to risk upsetting those antique dyes. I dunno, I'm rather content to live with the imperfections-- they give it an ethereal, time-worn patina, just like faded wallpaper and peeling paint in a dilapidated farmhouse.
So there you have it. Sorry to flood you with all these pictures and to keep rambling on about what must seem like a filthy old rag to some of you! I'm just so elated to have finally acquired my first wearable (and brightly colored!) 1900s frock. Structurally, I am amazed at how sturdy it feels; given the fact that the only flaws seem like they come from storage issues, I wouldn't be surprised if this piece got little wear but was tucked away in someone's attic. Of course I'm not about to wear it for everyday life, as it's naturally very fragile due to being a centenarian and all, but I think it may have enough life left in it for a calm, elegant tea party or two...
Do you have any special dream-come-true finds in your closet?
Also, I am quite ignorant about the specifics of earlier fashions; might any of you know just what sort of occasion this dress would be for? Day dress, house dress, tea dress...? I'd appreciate some input!
Do you have any special dream-come-true finds in your closet?
Also, I am quite ignorant about the specifics of earlier fashions; might any of you know just what sort of occasion this dress would be for? Day dress, house dress, tea dress...? I'd appreciate some input!
Such a gorgeous dress, it looks like something the girls from Downton Abbey might wear to a garden party!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, and I don't think $30 is too much...you should see the prices vendors charge for vintage in England!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! And, wow, $30! I wish I could even find 1950s dresses for $30 here. I've no idea what it'd've been worn for, either, I'm afraid.
ReplyDelete-Andi x
Oh, she's a real beauty! Great find!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a house dress, because of the silk and net (not usually seen on work-a-day clothes?) but day dress is very likely. Maybe tea I'm not that experienced with Edwardian clothing, but I wonder whether a cotton voile fabric isn't a bit less formal than some of the other fabrics used in the era?. I'll do a little online sleuthing and see what I can find!
ReplyDelete$30?! Wow, that is an amazing deal on a dress like that! I couldn't even find a 1950's dress for that price where I live.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's so beautiful! I don't think $30 is expensive at all for such a treasure. Someday we'll have to get together for tea so we can wear these pretty little things that are too delicate for everyday wear.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely dress, and I'm glad it ended up with someone who will really cherish it! I agree that washing it might cause more harm than good to it, and the spots just tells a story about its age. Don't worry too much about them. Before you use it though, please make sure there are no lose threads anywhere! Seams might break easily otherwise. I usually do a real good over all check on my vintage dresses to se if anything needs to be mended before I actually wear the dress, so the little faults that might exist don't get worse. It would be really nice to see what the dress looks on you too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks you gals! Might I add, it was actually about $23 with the vendor's sale, hehe. Lucky me!
ReplyDeleteBaroness, thank you... it makes perfect sense about the silk and netting being far too fine for a house dress.
Miss Meadows, I'll be extra certain to check the threads carefully, thank you for reminding me!
If I wear it, I shall be very sedate and treat it like glass; fabric spontaneously shattering is a not-so-unreasonable phobia of mine, hehe, so I'm going to baby my '10s relic.
Ooh what a great find! It looks like a tea-time dress to me, but I'm not sure! I just can imagine some lady sipping tea in this dress, in a beautiful garden with flowers on a sunny afternoon! :)
ReplyDeleteWow what a great find- i haven't had such a good find in ages! Lucky you, but I couldn't think of a better person to own such a dress!
ReplyDeleteTups x
Lord have mercy. What a fancy number you got there! I never mind the imperfections in something that old. In my opinion, it just adds to the beauty. Plus, i don't feel so bad when i rip a big hole in it trying to climb over fences or up trees. hee-hee. I can't wait to see you wearing it.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely dress! But why is it on a coat-hanger? We want to see it on YOU!
ReplyDeleteWow! I think I am in Love!
ReplyDeleteYou are one lucky person, and may I say that I am a wee bit jealous at the moment haha! Seriously though I commend you for this great find, they only come every once in a while
(well at least for me they do.) :)
Never apologise for rambling please I beg you - I want more, more, more and your blog is the perfect place to reveal the intricacies of this beautiful dress. Simply glorious Dakota! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous and you will look just stunning in it. Can't wait to see you model it.
ReplyDelete30 dollars wow what a steal!! It is so beautiful!!
ReplyDelete30 dollars is expensive for vintage where you live? I WANT TO GO TO THERE ;_;
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you modelling this dress, it is hard to truly appreciate it without seeing it how it would have been worn in the day.
Aww, thanks gals!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm pretty spoiled by rural Vermont prices... a local antiques place has this bin filled with vintage and antique clothing for $5 and $10, which is where I get most of my stuff. That's the one upside to living in the sticks, I guess ;)
I'll definitely try it on for photos sometime, but I feel like it deserves a finer background than my cluttered room or boring backyard, so I'm waiting for the perfect event or pretty place!!
Amazing find!!
ReplyDeleteoh dear,an edwardian original dress is my dream!! you're so lucky! and what a price!
ReplyDeleteThat's just beautiful! I love Edwardian fashion. Also, I have given you a blog award; come check it out at http://nabbysvintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/10/altered-knits-easy-miss-lemon-inspired.html
ReplyDeleteOh wow! What an amazing and special find. I'm so amazed that you found it for so little and in such good condition. I have a handful of pieces from this era (mostly courtesy my grandfather, who used to deal in antiques), and the dresses tend to (sadly!) be the worst off. :/ Hope you enjoy it a few times--and be sure to take some pictures to share of you wearing it! :)
ReplyDeleteWell I definatley have dress envy hear.I LOVE it.One find I love of mine other than any vintage dress is my top hat.Picked it up a month or so back and had been wanting one for ages.
ReplyDeleteOh wow - totally amazing. And yet again, a serious bargain! I can't wait to see you in it!
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely the queen of finding early dresses (ie pre 1940s) at a good price! It's very difficult to find anything older than the '40s around here and it's usually very expensive or in unwearable condition. I'm sure your dress could make it through a few tea parties and photo shoots!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is simply gorgeous, I completely understand why you love it. I would love to own such a piece, I am desperate for a cream Edwardian day dress!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful find! I love the rust spots and pattination on it, fading into the flowers. It makes it all the more ethereal and tells a story, which makes it all the more beautiful in a way! I can't wait to see a snapshot of you wearing it one day.
ReplyDeleteMy greatest find was a 1930's coat for £1 (less than $2) at a table top sale...a ridiculous bargain and one I'll never again match I'm sure!
xxx