My Gorgeous Antique Bustle Gown

I guess everyone has things that they love to collect.  I try not to go too crazy on too much of one thing, otherwise you end up looking like one of those crazy people collect a house full of Princess Diana mugs or a garden full of concrete dwarves! 

But I like looking at what other people collect, and I thought it might be fun from time to time to put things on my blog that I love to collect.  One collection that I would love to go crazy with is antique dresses.  I can't help myself, I just love old things; furniture, clothes, trinkets, buttons, oh, anything.  I just can't help but to try to imagine the previous life of these gorgeous things.  Something that amuses me now is I wonder if in another 100 years someone buys one of my lovely dresses and wonders about the previous owner, me!

The other thing that is interesting is how global the world is now.  I like it in some ways, like how I can buy the most amazing things from overseas which I could never find here in Australia, but on the other hand, it somehow feels wrong that I've taken these beautiful items out of their proper environment.  Oh, well, the good and bad of the world, huh!  I'll just have to love them to death to make up for it.

Anyway, I searched and searched as I wanted to buy the perfect bustle gown as I would only be able to do it once ~ money and space!  Bustle gowns were in fashion for such a short time, and I just love the late 1800s, before the industrial age took hold and when things seemed so much more romantic.  Of course in reality it probably wasn't romantic at all, but things always seem better in the past.  I just love the way the gowns sweep across the front of the body, and pull up at the back and fall away, and the way they sway when the lady walks.  So gorgeous, so romantic *big sigh*

So one day I found this absolutely stunning bustle gown, and it was love at first sight.  Just what I had been dreaming of, a lovely big bustle, creamy ivory and full of beautiful lace.  Here are some pictures...

Isn't it so dreamy and the lace just divine!  What I wouldn't give to be able to wear it, but it seems in those days women were a lot smaller.  I am five foot one and a half (that half is very important) and used to be 43 kilos (94 pounds) up till about eight years ago when it all started go to wrong, but I'm not sure if I would have been able to fit into this dress even back then.  Can you imagine being able to use this as a wedding dress *another big sigh*

This is a circa 1878 ivory silk bustle ball gown accented with the most gorgeous bobbin lace..  The bodice is lined and stayed and the neckline is also draped in gorgeous bobbin lace.  It has a stand up collar with a silk satin bow closure at the neckline.  The front skirt has a draped overskirt with ruffled tiers of more of the bobbin lace.  It has a draped lace tail and a wonderful waterfall bustle train and pleated hem.  There is lace all around the bottom of the hem at the back.   

I have it packed away hoping that one day I'll be able to display it to full advantage.  Dear One and I have been talking about doing some renovations to our wonderful house, in particular enlarging our bedroom, taking advantage of the side veranda which we don't use due to it looking right into the stunning windows of the home next door and their absolutely divine red and blue sheets they use as curtains.  If we do this, then our bedroom will have a lot more room, and I'm hoping so much that I will be able to find an antique mannequin on which to display this wonderful dress.  I must also take into consideration my little friends, Chantelle and Sasha who will love this dress as much as I do, but as a place to run and hide under the skirts; and the gorgeous train, a very comfy bed, and they do love to scratch.  Again, the good and bad of life.  Love my babies, but, well, they have their good days and their bad too!

Comments

[Kaleylaine]

This gown is my absolute dream wedding dress!
and your cats are absolutely adorable. Your site is so sweet!

[cielo]

I'm in awe! that is such a lovely lovely dress... don't you love that era? Back then woman were so elegant, and feminine... I also love your new blog banner. You have the most beautiful things....

If you have time, come visit the house in the roses, we are having a dessert carnival… come and participate. It promises to be FANTASTIC!!!

Cielo

[Sandy]

OH! What an amazing dress!
hope you are having a great week.
Sandy :)

[gail friend]

Hi Vickie,, what a absolutely stunning find. That ballgown dress is gorgeous. I understand about the kitty dilimas! I have the same issues. I love them to death, but cats will be cats. I also love the ballet slippers. Gorgeous as well. Have a great week,,, pink hugs, gail

[Rachael]

Firstly I understand the importance of the half, being a very little 4ft10 and a half! Secondly the bustle gown is the most divine thing ever, what a treasure to have:) Rachael

[Chris]

Hi Vickie,
OMG that is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.(Umm don't tell my children I said that*wink*)What a gorgeous ,gorgeous dress & thanks so much for sharing it with us all.Ok -so now I'm guessing that there must be a story of how you found this beautiful dress.How sad for the previous owners to have to part with it.I had been daydreaming lately of having a mannequinn with a dress i had cleverly made(remember I said daydreaming) but this dress is even better than anything I could concoct-real or imaginary-LOL)Would it be cheeky to ask how long you've owned it or how much it cost?Just a ballpark figure, perhaps?
BTW I just loved you new hallway & those cute little bags you have hanging up.
Have a lovely day & take care until your next post.
Chris

[Kathy Jacobson]

Ooohhhh....that dress is amazing. The style, the color...your heart must have skipped a beat when you saw it. I hope one day you find the perfect place to display it.

Have a great week!

Kathy

[Natasha Burns]

Wow Vickie, that bustle gown is absolutely incredible!!! I've never seen anything quite like it, no wonder you love it so much!