1850's dress redone in the 1860's style.

From the seller:

New to the market from an old Connecticut estate




Literally out of the trunk








Impressive Civil War mourning dress with pagoda sleeves





Authentic 1860s mourning dress made of lustrous black silk satin. It features a tight fitted bodice with six stays. It has dropped shoulders with exquisite ruching and pagoda sleeves bordered with chenille trim. The sleeves are lined in black silk (up to the elbows). The attached skirt has fine cartridge pleats. There is piping around the waist and armseye. Fully lined, the skirt in brown cotton, the bodice in beige cotton it has brass eye and hook back closure. There is an inserted panel in the back, made from different silk. Was it intended to make the top wider as the owner got bigger or to be worn by two different people? The dress retains both the original eyes and hooks and the panel has its own eyes. Hand sewn.



Underarm discoloration on lining as well as many spots; there may be a couple of small holes



Measurements taken flat:

length 51"

circumference bottom 147"

waist 24" and 29"



Remarkable example of Civil War fashion



Sold as is as found







Thank you



Please view my other listings for more unique 1860s and 1870s clothes from the same trunk


From Me:

The dress looks like it was originally made in the early 1850's (if not 1840's) based on the bodice lines. You can tell that front just wants to go down into a point, very badly! However, in the 1860's, the owner (or the owner's daughter) cut it to remake the dress in a more acceptable style for the 1860's.