My first and probably only occasion to wear this gorgeous antique was the Time Travelers Gala at Costume College 2006. The event’s theme was Tango Argentina 1910s, so this gown fit right in.
I accessorized the dress with a rhinestone and pearl headband atop my hair piled on my head. I wore long, dangly rhinestone earrings, a triple-strand pearl necklace, two wide rhinestone bracelets, and several large bling-bling rhinestone cocktail rings, plus I carried a black silk Fortuny-pleated purse and wore black leather two-strap pumps.
Alas, this gown turned out to be too fragile to wear! When I’d tried it on at home, the silk lining’s hem snagged a little on my shoes, so I reinforced it with a wide satin ribbon attached behind the hem with Stitch Witchery. Everything seemed secure, smooth, and set. But when put the gown on at the hotel, the lining seemed to rip a little bit with every step, whether or not my shoes snagged. Through the course of the evening, the lining caught on chairs and tore some more. No matter how careful I was, how little I moved, how much I carried my skirts, the silk was simply shattering around me. The lace overlay seemed intact, luckily.
I figured I could replace the whole lining at some point. But sadly, when I unpacked the gown at home, I discovered a huge tear in the lace right in front! It was not like that when I packed it, so I guess the whole thing was just too fragile for use. I feel bad for destroying such a lovely antique, but, as one friend said, at least I gave it one last hurrah. And many compliments at the Gala too.
This is, IMNSHO, a perfectly goth-as-fuck 1910s evening gown! I bought it in September 2005 off eBay with the intention of wearing it at Costume College. This vintage piece was nice in pictures, but in person was an absolute stunner! In retrospect, a very good deal too. Beautiful condition, fit me like a dream, looked hella good on me, if I do say so myself. This gown was totally something you’d see in the background in Wings of the Dove or what would be perfect for a ball at the fabulous mansions in Newport, Rhode Island.
Only repair it needed was one spot behind the multitudinous snaps that close the bodice in front (one of those typically complicated 1910s closures) was a little weak and could use reinforcement. But that was it, other than a steaming to revive some crushed bits on the bodice.
Based on research of fashion plates and clothing catalogs of the era, I think this dress was from 1913 to 1915. It has a natural waistline and straight skirts (skirts flared out later in the decade), plus a slightly poufy chest, faintly reminiscent of the Gibson Girl pigeon breast of the previous decade, with crossover neckline and front drapery that seemed popular during these years.