Who Would Have Worn This?

[e.royal]

I thrifted this bodice, which I would guess to be about 1850's or 1860s? Anyone want to confirm that? It was mislabled in the thrift store as a 1940's top.

I've been mulling over who would have worn this bodice. The fabric is a very light sheer cotton with solid print "stripes" woven into the fabric. It's gathered and closes up the front with hook and eyes. It looks adult sized, but it has short sleeves. I did some light research and it seems like the general thoughts on this matter is that it would have been a child's bodice (but then wouldn't it be smaller and close up the back?) or an adults "fancy dress" bodice (would a sheer cotton count?) It's fully lined with cotton except for the sleeves, which are lined with net.

The entire thing is hand stitched, with some beautiful mends in it. Someone later took that terrible ribbon and machine stitched it on. The bodice is faded though the original color (which you can see on the inside where the sun didn't get to it) is really, really vivid and beautiful indigo blues and rusty reds!

Thoughts?







BTW: This is my first post in a very long while (under a new username to boot)!

Elizabeth Royal

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Who Would Have Worn This?

Sheers are outside quite a few of the "rules" for non-sheer clothing... it could well be a short-sleeved sheer for an adult woman, or could have been for a teenager with a maturing figure, or could have had detachable sheer sleeves that were worn with it. With the open neckline and shaping, though, I'm going to lean toward it being a teenage girl's dress bodice from the 50s or 60s.

Very good find!

[Chessa]

Re: Who Would Have Worn This?

My first thought is a teenaged bodice. This type of bodice could be worn well itno the teen years, which may account for the bigger measurements.

[MissMia]

Re: Who Would Have Worn This?

It's so much fun when you can come across 19th century gems at the Thrift!
I agree, it looks like a young womans (teen) bodice.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Who Would Have Worn This?

I'd agree a bodice of a teen's (or fluffy girl's) dress seems most likely.. Sheer wools, cottons, and silks were used in evening wear too.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Who Would Have Worn This?

Given the waist size, though, I'd look at teens first, before a heavy child. There's enough room in the shoulders/bust to accommodate a developed, or quickly developing figure (so, age 15-20), at the point when the pre-pubescent chubs stretch out into a defined, usually narrow waist.

SIGH... oh, that we could get this fabric now!!