1890 tea gown

In the course of researching tea gowns, I came across an interesting thing while looking at reprints of the Autumn 1886 and Spring 1893 editions of the E. Butterick & Company’s pattern ca…

Vertical knife pleated yoke & sleeve of patterned changeable silk w/ triangle & dot motif, standing collar, dusty rose wool twill dress & lower sleeves, silk satin ribbon draped from bow at CB into SSs & continuing to CF, full slightly trained skirt w/ triple inverted box pleat at CB & hem w/ box pleated self-ruffle manipulated w/ added flat silk satin bows, lined in glazed cotton

From the seller: ANTIQUE MOURNING GGOWN Label: Daniels & Fisher Denver Description: Black silk floral damask mourning gown from the late 1800s to early 1900s Yellow velveteen collar probably added later Lace wide collar, around the cuffs and in gathered rows down the center front Velvet and lace around the hem Satin sash and big bow in the front Boned inside Large pleat in the center back starts at the top and forms a train...It is large enough for a bustle underneath It has a museum number…

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Turn of the Century: Portraits, Jewels, and Accessories," June 18–October 25, 1948.Detroit Institute of Arts. "Heritage and Horizon: American Painting, 1776–1976," May 5, 1976–June 13, 1976

It all started because of wizards' robes. While on the World Race last year, I re-read the Harry Potter series, and began to wonder about wizard's robes. In the movies, robes are depicted as garments worn over relatively normal clothing. In the books however, robes are referred to as primary garments, not over garments. This realization lead me down a rabbit hole. I had to figure out what wizards robes were supposed to look like, according to the books. And, while I was at it, I decided I…

Tea Gown on The John Bright Collection

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