rock the frock- sheer black and gold 1870s

[pinkdiamond]

era: mid-late 1870s

material: fine silk tulle, embroidered with straw, pressed straw motiffes

found: ebay.com May 2011

   

 

This overdress is stunning. It is truly iconic of the era but in a very unique way. High contrast of materials, sheer outerlayer that allows colour shifting of any garment below, and delicate but trailing and repeat decoration.

The straw decoration is very effective from a distance and fascinating to look at in detail.

Note:

Back in the early days of access to the net here in New Zealand I found myself mainly looking for images of patterns and extant garments. And pretty much just that! I already had a lot of information from books, but always wanted more.

More fashion plates too.

As time goes by I realise many of the auctions were not saved, were not shared, and many  of them added vital understanding to the vibrancy, the texture, the construction, and even the overall aesthetic of the day.

Comments

[bzzzyb.livejournal.com]

What? that is STRAW? good lord I would have sworn it was gold thread!!! how freaking cool is that!!!

[pinkdiamond.livejournal.com]

I know! There are a pair of beautiful shoes that are horsehair with straw embroidery. It's amazing how much it was used :)
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O68440/pair-of-shoes-unknown/#
Not the ones I was thinking of but sudden bottleneck in my net access...

http://www.kci.or.jp/en/archives/digital_archives/1820s_1840s/KCI_076

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

I saved my comments from my old blog. The seller claimed that the dress was from 1869 and worn to Grant's inauguration. That doesn't make sense to me: Grant's inauguration happened on March 4, 1869 and no one would wear a summer dress like this in March in DC. The original measurements given were Bust 34" and waist 24".