The Ornamented Being

“The blue dress, c.1910s, has a blue chiffon overlay, covering an amazing underdress of pink velvet with corded cutwork, beading and lace insertion. The chiffon shimmered over the dress and this technique appears to have been very popular. It added mystery and delicacy to the garment. Though we do not know who wore this beautiful dress, it came to the Museum in 1940 from Mrs. D. R. Kirk of New York City.”

The Charleston Museum

(Source: charlestonmuseum.org)

Without a doubt one of my favorite dresses from the Met.

Dress (Ball Gown)

c. 1900–1903

Kimono-style tea gown, c.1905

“Elegant tea gowns were worn by society ladies in their homes before dinner. They could relax with loosened corsets hidden under the flowing designs. When Orientalism swept the fashion world, loose Eastern garments were adapted to be worn as tea gowns. Many were imported and sold by Liberty & Co. in London.

Oriental garments for the Western market are eagerly sought today by collectors as evening wear. This fine piece was made from Japanese fabric, probably in a Tokyo kimono shop for export to the West. The style was adapted for Western tastes, while retaining traditional Chinese sleeves. The sash is more like a scarf than an obi. Without the traditional padding, the gown is lightweight.

The kimono is fashioned from very pale peach (almost beige) silk crepe and is lined with matching silk crepe de chine. The kimono is skillfully hand embroidered with trailing vines of wisteria in shades of lavender and green.

The exotic floral design has a magic as potent and restorative as the deepest slumber. The leaves have the haunting verisimilitude of nature in full bloom. The ends of the sash are finished with hand-knotted silk fringe.”

Tea Gown from 1880

The back of this gown is beautiful!

$725 dollars later this beauty could be yours. (Please see the etsy link for details.)

“This rare antique french dress comes from a smoke-free house. This garment is in excellent condition with no stains, rips, holes or dry-rot. Closes with side metal-hooks. Only sign of age is some faint color-varation to the pink-silk. This item is over 90 years old and is truly priceless! Very Rare!”

The softer fabrics suited paler colours than had been favoured in the brash 1890s, and a variety of delicate shades abounded with evocative names such as “eau de Nile” and “ashes of roses”. But it is a mistake to think that bright colours were never worn. Some extraordinarily vibrant and yet very attractive examples of early Edwardian dresses survive today, in rich jewel colours.

Charles Worth  1900 tea gown from Chicago 

 Corset: The Rejane 190-05 from the Met