#6553 $1,095
Civil War period gown with two bodices, 1860s
The Civil War was the most tragic and romanticized period in American history. The great conflict drew women from both the North and the South out of the private sphere of the home. The war changed the role of women in American society with immediate consequences for women's fashion.
After the Civil War, the grand romantic style that idealized women's beauty never made a complete comeback. Although the New Look of 1947 did return prettiness and femininity to center stage (the bell shaped skirt and corseted small waist), Dior's creation did not bring back the delicate femininity of the pre-Civil War period.
With its sloping shoulders and tiny waist, the gown epitomizes the romantic ideal. Fashioned from seafoam green moiré silk, the watered pattern of the moiré blends in with the pale stains on the skirt, making them less apparent.
The gown consists of four pieces: a day bodice, an evening bodice, a bell shaped skirt, and a decorative overskirt. The day bodice and overskirt are embellished with rows of pleated satin ribbon and braided silk fringe. The evening bodice has chenille fringe on the short sleeves.
Both bodices are boned and lined with ivory polished cotton. The day bodice has built-in bust enhancers and is finished at the neck and waist with narrow self-covered corded piping. All the decorative buttons are still there. The day bodice closes with concealed hooks.
The skirt waistband looks like a replacement, because you can no longer access the small watch pocket. The skirt is lined with polished cotton and has braided trim along the hem.
The condition is very good. The skirt has light stains. The evening bodice has underarm stains, and there are missing back laces. Even though the gown still displays beautifully, these minor problems are reflected in the price.
The day bodice measures: 34" bust, 22" waist, 20" sleeve length, and 14 1/2" from
the shoulder to the hem.
The evening bodice measures: 32" bust, 22" waist, and 13 1/2" center-back length
to the point.
The skirt measures 23" waist and 39" length.
