So I’m gonna start with pics. I will post better ones later. I have to figure out the best way to photograph without the dogs getting involved. These were taken at the Goodwill (!!!) where I found them (for $20!!!)
Ok. So I am posting these for the purposes of resources and discussion for anyone else interested in historical fashion. I found them at Goodwill earlier this week, in the Halloween stuff they had just put out, and I paid $20 for all of it. Ridiculous. RIDICULOUS! Any way, I will be taking better photos, on a mannequin, and good closeups of each garment inside and out, and please feel free to ask any questions about or request closeups of construction methods, notions, etc.
Here is what I know so far:
The first three pics are a satin-faced blue printed silk two-piece day dress. The lace yoke overlays cream silk satin, and everything is trimmed up in black silk velvet ribbon. The blouse is fully lined and boned, with a fold over front that attaches to the side and shoulder seams, to hide the closures and allow for the full pigeon-breasted gathered front. The skirt is pieced gores (fabric width not long enough so the gores are pieced about halfway down, I assume so the pattern directionality was pleasing) with light bustling at the back and a double ruffle of the same length at the hem. (Sometimes this is done to keep the face up ruffle clean and full, like a mini-petticoat just for your skirt ruffle.)
I absolutely adore the print, and have already redrawn, uploaded and ordered some samples from Spoonflower, but depending on how they turn out I will probably order some silk yardage from another place and make some big floaty scarves. It also sent me down a research rabbit hole regarding printed silks from about 1900 to 1908. There are some amazing extant examples. They look like 40s, 60s, and 80s fabrics. It is really shocking!
The second item is a scarlet silk velvet jacket with another foldover front, only this time it is smooth down the front with an asymmetrical closure on the left breast, a light point at the waist, and dagged sleeve cuffs lined in silk satin. This jacket is flatlined, where the blouse above is lined in a way that hides most of the seams inside. (Much more modern method.) It was obviously intended to wear with a collar, as the top edge is only bound in bias tape.
And third we have a black wool walking skirt made of matelasse and flatlined in red cotton. It is a very simple gored walking skirt but is VERY striking.
All of these garments date from the transition period at the very tail end of the Victorian era and very beginning of the Edwardian. Maybe between 1895 and 1910, but probably all right around 1905ish.