Saturday, March 13, 2010

Photo Number 132

This is a cabinet card, but it has no photographers information.  I got this photo at an Antique Shop in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. I will guess that it is from around 1890.  Norkio may have some insight on this lady's clothing. I love the ruffles on her sleeves and a bow too, I was quite taken with her dress..I wonder what the buttons were made out of..bone?

Thanks for stopping by, do come again:)
***Update from Norkio about the dress***Without seeing the back of the dress it's hard to date, but I'll say in general 1880-1890. There was a period of time between the Early Bustle and Late Bustle period that was called Natural Form (1877-1882) and did not feature the exaggerated backside. The view in this picture suggests the Natural Form because as we have seen in other photos, ladies wearing bustles often sat or stood in such a way as to show the bustle behind them. The skirt of this dress with all it's pleating looks to me like a skirt that has been altered from its original purpose. If it is a so-called natural form dress and the owner remade a bustle skirt, that would account for all the horizontal pleats. Frankly, it's unattractive to my eye what with that one big fold going right round her hips. The pleated trim at the edge of the over skirt suggests to me that it is a "repurposed" skirt, in particular it tends to drape down in the front, which is associated with the bustle aprons. The bodice doesn't really shout of any era. The hairstyle is rather generic as well. The lady may not have been of much means or have much interest in fashion.

6 comments:

  1. It is an unusual dress. The pendant and the scarf adds to the already very decorated dress.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very pretty dress. I cannot imagine how uncomfortable it would be though!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is a very detailed dress, but it looks stuffy and uncomfortable. She looks like someone I went to school with - well that sounds stupid - I am old, but not that old. I went to school with someone who resembles her - that sounds better.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Without seeing the back of the dress it's hard to date, but I'll say in general 1880-1890. There was a period of time between the Early Bustle and Late Bustle period that was called Natural Form (1877-1882) and did not feature the exaggerated backside. The view in this picture suggests the Natural Form because as we have seen in other photos, ladies wearing bustles often sat or stood in such a way as to show the bustle behind them. The skirt of this dress with all it's pleating looks to me like a skirt that has been altered from its original purpose. If it is a so-called natural form dress and the owner remade a bustle skirt, that would account for all the horizontal pleats. Frankly, it's unattractive to my eye what with that one big fold going right round her hips. The pleated trim at the edge of the over skirt suggests to me that it is a "repurposed" skirt, in particular it tends to drape down in the front, which is associated with the bustle aprons. The bodice doesn't really shout of any era. The hairstyle is rather generic as well. The lady may not have been of much means or have much interest in fashion.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Norkio..I always appreciate your comments about the dresses! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Reminds me of a dress my great grandma wore that was smothered in bustles and ruffles in 1870. I think the guess that this woman is wearing one 'repurposed' from something in style 10 years later makes a lot of sense.

    ReplyDelete

Hi, Thanks for the comments, your input on these old photos is appreciated! English only please! All comments will be moderated! Connie