Costume, Child's Dress - Blue Velvet Dress
1879 (Date manufactured/created)
1870s (Date manufactured/created)
1870s (Date manufactured/created)
Cloth (Velvet)
A young girl's dress, worn at the age of 7. It is created in the form of popular "cuirass" ladies' styles, with a long bodice. The skirt and front are made from navy blue taffeta silk. The jacket-like main body is made from dark blue velvet. The bodice is lined in brown cotton twill, and the skirt is lined in plainly woven brown cotton. Every seam is meticulously finished and made with the same techniques as an adult costume.
The bodice is designed with a two-piece illusion. It appears as if a velvet jacket is worn over a taffeta under bodice. In reality, the blue velvet is the main entity. Full front panels in taffeta extend from the side seams of the velvet "jacket." The front panels of the velvet bodice are lined in taffeta. The neckline of the bodice is bound in taffeta. Below the neckline to the left is a hand-worked eyelet.
The front taffeta panel is pleated into a large box pleat, under which a closure of 10 large mother of pearl buttons close the dress. Above this is a non-operative line of 8 round, shank-back, and rhinestone-studded buttons.
The velvet bodice has external hip pockets with an upwardly arching bottom seam. The bottom corners have rhinestone buttons. At the back are small trapezoidal barrettes that extend and are pressed back from the side back/back panel seams. They are lined in taffeta to create a contrasting appearance. Two rhinestone buttons decorate the top.
The seam between the bodice and short kilt skirt is hidden by a pleated sash and placed at the hips. The sash is tied at center front. The streamers are shirred at the ends, and are concluded by a silk tassel in matching navy blue. A square, rhinestone-studded, faux buckle matches the faux buttons on the bodice. The skirt hem is turned under and whip stitched.
A kilt skirt is a type of skirt pleated all around kept in place with internal cotton tapes, popular with young girls and sometimes appropriated for adult looks and athletic costumes. The kilt skirt offered a larger range of movement than others of the time, making it ideal for young children.
Waist: 28"
Hips: 30"
L 30".
The bodice is designed with a two-piece illusion. It appears as if a velvet jacket is worn over a taffeta under bodice. In reality, the blue velvet is the main entity. Full front panels in taffeta extend from the side seams of the velvet "jacket." The front panels of the velvet bodice are lined in taffeta. The neckline of the bodice is bound in taffeta. Below the neckline to the left is a hand-worked eyelet.
The front taffeta panel is pleated into a large box pleat, under which a closure of 10 large mother of pearl buttons close the dress. Above this is a non-operative line of 8 round, shank-back, and rhinestone-studded buttons.
The velvet bodice has external hip pockets with an upwardly arching bottom seam. The bottom corners have rhinestone buttons. At the back are small trapezoidal barrettes that extend and are pressed back from the side back/back panel seams. They are lined in taffeta to create a contrasting appearance. Two rhinestone buttons decorate the top.
The seam between the bodice and short kilt skirt is hidden by a pleated sash and placed at the hips. The sash is tied at center front. The streamers are shirred at the ends, and are concluded by a silk tassel in matching navy blue. A square, rhinestone-studded, faux buckle matches the faux buttons on the bodice. The skirt hem is turned under and whip stitched.
A kilt skirt is a type of skirt pleated all around kept in place with internal cotton tapes, popular with young girls and sometimes appropriated for adult looks and athletic costumes. The kilt skirt offered a larger range of movement than others of the time, making it ideal for young children.
Waist: 28"
Hips: 30"
L 30".
72.5 a, b