Late 19th Century

1880's ~                               

The 1880's were a decade of fashion extremes.  One of my favorites is the long fitted bodice featured in Manet's famous painting (right), Bar at Folies-Bergere, which the Lavender's Green dress (below left) is modeled after.  Another variation can be seen in the 1882 black & white fashion plate (below right).  This very fitted bodice should be worn over an hourglass corset and substantial petticoats.  A very small "dress improver" might also be worn under the back of the skirt to fill out the drapery of the bustle (although in 1882 skirts were still fairly slim).

 1882 Dinner or Reception Gowns

When our Ladies' Tea Guild gathered at the Heathman Hotel in Portland, Oregon, we dressed for the late 19th century. Below, Suzannah is wearing an 1880s polonaise ensemble in orchid silk, trimmed in purple velvet and purple striped silk. The pattern is drafted from several sources in my reference library. With it she is wearing a vintage hat. Kelly, on the right, is wearing an 1897 replica gown of silk jacquard. I made the pattern by copying an original wedding dress owned by the French Prairie Historical Society.  The dress is trimmed in delicate lace, as was the original.

A similar polonaise gown made for you would cost about $380 and up. A gown like the 1897 dress pictured would be $268 or more, depending on the fabric and lace used.

1890's ~

A "walking suit" allowed a lady to take brisk strides and create an imposing appearance, as seen in the drawings below from the 1897 Sears, Roebuck catalog.  Our re-creation in smooth, mid-weight cotton, is equally impressive, yet comfortable to wear. A similar two-piece outfit, custom-made for you, would cost about $380. This one (right) is worn with a reproduction fabric-covered summer hat, trimmed with roses and white feathers ($110) and a full compliment of authentic lady's undergarments.

This spectacular 1895 ball gown would have been the height of fashion at any ball of the time period! It is made of iridescent silk and would be worn over flared petticoats and an hourglass corset. Lavender's Green evening gowns cost between $340 and $800, depending on the fabric, the style, and the amount of trimmings used.

At left below, we are modeling fashions from the turn of the last century in a sun room at Deepwood Estate in Salem, Oregon. I am wearing my favorite 1910 lingerie dress and summer straw hat, while Kelly is in an 1890s wool sateen circular skirt, a black silk sash, a dotted swiss blouse with sleeve puffs, and a black straw hat trimmed with organza puffs and pink apple blossoms. A similar skirt would cost about $88 or more; the blouse would be about $92. You can have an 1890s straw hat made for about $100 to $180, depending on trims and materials.

Above, right, at the 1892 Settlemier House in Woodburn, Oregon, Suzannah is wearing an 1894 visiting costume inspired by a French fashion plate. I am wearing the same basic pattern made up as a walking suit in a wool blend with tapestry ribbon trim. We can custom-make many other beautiful styles for you.  Please contact us with your ideas!