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  • 1.  Dating Dress

    Posted 07-20-2022 03:38 PM
    All,

    I am no fashion/clothing expert. Could someone help me date this dress? The donor said it was worn in 1869.

    Thank you,

    ------------------------------
    Mandy Langfald
    Curator
    Wyoming State Museum
    mandy.langfald@wyo.gov
    (307) 630-0063
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-20-2022 05:16 PM
    Edited by Layne Borden 07-20-2022 05:16 PM
    Mandy,

    Older fashion is easier to pinpoint if you can clearly see the silhouette of the piece as there were trends that were built upon each other over time. Due to the dark fabric it's harder to tell what the actual silhouette looks like, could you perhaps take a couple other pictures with different lighting or perhaps with the arms moved outwards from the piece to better show the line of the body and skirt.

    Thanks,
    Layne

    ------------------------------
    Layne Borden
    Administrative Assistant
    Swedish American Museum Association of Chicago
    Chicago IL
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  • 3.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-21-2022 09:01 AM

    Hello Mandy,

     

    I agree with Layne, the overall shape the dress is meant to have is the most telling about its time period. As a non-expert in textiles or fashion myself, here is a fantastic webinar recording by the Wisconsin Historical Society that I return to regularly for general guidance on fashion trends from 1840-1940.

     

    emailMichelle Nash
    Curator of Collections
    Elkhart County Historical Museum
    Facebook28803-200

     

    "Museum collection storage is both a physical space and an ongoing process."- NPS

     




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  • 4.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-21-2022 07:52 AM
    Mandy,
    Most definitely not 1869. From the shape of the bodice, especially the collar and neckline, as well as the materials and the embellishment I would say 1900-1909. Without seeing the skirt over a petticoat I can't be more specific than that, 
    Regards,
    Maggie Raywood

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    Margaret Raywood
    North Bergen NJ
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  • 5.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-21-2022 09:51 AM
    Hi Mandy,

    I am a dress historian, but your pictures offer limited date clues so I'm guessing a bit here.?? 1869 would be a bit too early for a dress that looks like this.?? It is just possible that it's from the late 1870s but it's more likely to date to the late 1890s, or even the early 20th century. The color and style of embroidery is consistent with that, as is (what's left of) the stand collar. What does it look like inside??? Is the skirt cut to accommodate a bustle, either up hight or down around the back of the knees??? Is the bodice boned? Is the collar boned? How high do you think the collar was when it was still intact? Is there a wide ribbon that hooks around the waist??? Are the sleeves puffy around the upper arm and shoulder? How long are they??? What's going on with the cuffs?

    If you have more pictures that show some of this I would be happy to look at them and see if I can help you nail down a closer date.?? Feel free to send them to me directly: melissa@curatrix.net

    Melissa Leventon






  • 6.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-21-2022 12:16 PM
    Hi Mandy – can you send a picture of the back? A back bustle would be typical for that period – best, Mary

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  • 7.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-21-2022 12:33 PM
    Here are a few views of the back.

    Mandy Langfald
    Curator of Collections
    Wyoming State Museum
    307-630-0063




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  • 8.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-21-2022 12:54 PM

    Still hard to say, Mandy – that pad is pretty small for a back bustle. I'm assuming from the images it's a bodice and skirt? If so the back of the skirt should have gathers, and if laid flat the back should appear noticeably longer than the front. An late 1860s-early 70s dress is likely to have a smooth front line with a pretty large bustle at the back. 1890s to 1900s dresses often have a tall, turtleneck-looking collar and are slender with a slight bustle – best, Mary

     

    Description: Description: 6B90F3A5-F660-4015-8419-F074829CAE4BTAUBMAN MUSEUM OF ART

    MARY LaGUE

    Registrar

    540.204.4138

    110 Salem Avenue SE Roanoke, VA 24011

    www.taubmanmuseum.org

      

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  • 9.  RE: Dating Dress

    Posted 07-28-2022 11:32 AM
    Hi Mandy, not a fashion expert either, but from the pictures my guess is later than 1869. Again the shape of the dress would need to be formed see if the silhouette fits late 1800s. 
    It looks like a mourning gown from the Edwardian Era, so 1900-1910 about. 
    Good luck!
    ------------------------------
    Cynthia Martinez-Woelk
    Program Educator
    Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
    Wichita KS
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    Cynthia Martinez-Woelk
    Program Educator
    Wichita-Sedgwick County History Museum
    Wichita KS
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