1910s Edwardian Lawn Dress

Slip on this authentic 1910s Titanic-era tea dress and you can dine with Lord and Lady Grantham at Downton Abbey. Shallow V-neckline bodice with cluny lace, vertical tucks, fagotted shoulder seams and over-elbow sleeves ending in lace cuffs. The dress closes with shell buttons at back, another row on the side of the skirt (both with covered plackets), and a series of hook&eyes on the left pannier. Light-as-air, slightly crisp fabric is sheer and you'll want to wear a slip beneath it for modesty and perhaps to add a bit of color to match your mood or event. This dress is beautifully made, with attention to detail and impeccable finishing. For example, the button placket at the left hip is repeated, without buttons or opening, at the right. Perfect symmetry. From the Nancy L. collection.

Labels: none

Fiber/Care: almost certainly cotton lawn with cotton lace, but it has the crisp, luxurious feel of silk (and may be)

Condition: strong and wearable. we repaired a small tear at the front edge of the left pannier (see before and after photo). there are a few minor scattered spots (see photos, the double spots are beneath the pannier on the right). the only stain that's at all conspicuous is on the upper left back, as shown. it may come out with targeted treatment as we gave the dress only a gentle but thorough wash. we replaced the one missing button with a not-exact-but-very-close genuine-shell vintage match. Our pink ribbon is not included (and we think a pale blue one would look even better!).

*This dress was carefully hand washed in Orvus specialty quilt soap and is ready to wear.*

Garment Measurements:
- The dress fits Delphine, who measures b: 32, w: 24, h: 35.25. But she doesn't need to breathe and you probably do. The dress was too tight on me (b: 36, w: 26, h: 36), although I did not try it with a corset. We recommend your body measurements be slightly smaller than those of the dress (whether naturally or via corset), in order to avoid straining and possibly tearing the fabric. -

 shoulders: 15"/38cm
 sleeves: 14"/35.5cm
 bodice: 15"/38cm to center of 1.5"/3.75cm waistband
 bust: 34"/86.25cm + room from gathers (fit me, just)
 waist: 24.25"/61.5cm ✂︎
 hips: 37"/94cm
 length: 53"/134.5cm

✂︎ You could, in theory, move all the hooks and eyes to enlarge the waist at least an inch, if not more. The edges of the panniers would no longer meet at the front, but so what? It would still be beautiful. And if you wear a wide ribbon or other belt over the waistband, it will matter even less. You could also leave open one or more of the side buttons, as the underskirt is camouflaged by the pannier.

(BDV SKU: 00528-002)

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