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Jessica's Costume History Page | home
Victorian Bustle Dress
(All photo's and description appear courtesy of e-bay seller, "LSBEANS")
This beautiful silk velvet and taffeta traveling dress represents the epitome of quiet elegance for the Victorian woman of style. The high collared burgundy velvet bodice is very fitted and is fastened with 18 one-half inch covered buttons, all original. Matching velvet piping and cuffs and a slightly padded bust area are carefully tailored, and the bodice is completed with taupe taffeta 25" fitted sleeves, which are shaped at the elbow, and a taffeta fitted back. Nine stays, 8" long, shape the jacket which has a 35" bust and 26" waist. Jacket measures 13" across back and the length is 18" in front, 21" in back and 13" on sides.. The uniquely designed skirt includes 6 horizontal pleated sections at each hip which give the front and the bustle their fullness. There is a velvet insert down one side which displays 6 2 1/2" original covered buttons and is 20" wide at the hem. Box pleats with an extra fold on each side and stiff facing are attached to the underskirt. Circumference of the skirt hem is 80" with the pleats flat; the skirt is 46" long. The label indicates the outfit is from Bazar de Modes, Mandel Bros., Paris Chicago Berlin. The condition of this two piece dress is excellent and represents high quality construction. All seams are bound with handstiched rose colored bias tape on the bodice.The fabric seems to be in good condition for its age with no rotting or shredding. There are a couple of small nicks, a 1" split in sleave at cuff opening. and a slight soiling on one of the arms. At the waistline, there is a 4" section at the back of the waist where the pleats have come unstitched. The lining is all in good shape, and the only perspiration stains are on the stain guards, not on the dress's fabric.
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