antique treasures - cdvs

i have oh-so many antique treasures, i thought i'd start a new mini blog series about some of my favorites! inspired by atlanta's post.

civil war style clothing has interested me for years. so what better way to study 1860s fashion, than by looking at originals (or at least pictures of originals)?! i went through a faze where i was buying and buying cdvs off of ebay. since then, i've restricted myself from going there...i only peruse every now and then.

here are eight of my favorite cdvs i've collected from various places...all young-adult women from the 1860s:

#1 -

there are so many things i love about this pictures. the dress, for one, has so many gorgeous details. i can't tell what that detailing is on the bodice...quilting or tucking perhaps? do you know? i also LOVE the trim on the sleeves, waistband, and bottom of the dress! also, note the shorter length for the younger girl. and how about that cute doll and carriage in the corner?! i wouldn't have minded a toy like that as a young girl!

#2 -

a simple but lovely dress. buttons down the front, white collar, dropped shoulder, bishop sleeves, belt with buckle. these are all tell-tale signs of the 1860s. also, the simple, parted down the middle hair is another good indication. wouldn't you love to know what book she's reading right there?!

#3 -

ooo. i really love the ruffles/runching trim she's got going on. that's a really fun idea to use on a yoked dress...and she also used it on the coat sleeves and neckline. but what is that she's holding? a parasol...without a stick? a strange looking purse. plus, if you look closely...some sort of rod...? what do you think it is? plus, look at the stamp on the back! if you look real closely you can see the date! september 1864!

#4 -

some more lovely trim! and cute bows/accessories of some sort in her hair. a nice brooch and earrings as well. white collar. and look at that sleeve. it appears to be smooth in the front and pleated in the back! i love it! and i really like that elaborate chair! does she look pregnant to you, or is it only the hoop?

#5 -

this young lady is sporting a very nice striped dress. i'm always a sucker for stripes! she has a nice fan-front bodice with a stand up collar and a sort of neck tie/bow. plus a contrasting belt. again, hair parted down the middle. 

#6 - Nancy (an aspiring seamstress):

here's a pretty young girl! wearing a shorter skirt with two rows of black trim. a white blouse, a black bolero jacket (though it looks rather thin to be of any use in cold weather), and a belt with silver buckles. her hair also seems to be up in a net. she looks rather sad, does she not? i wonder how old she is.

atlanta: Poor 14-year old Nancy has become very fashion concious lately - but her family can't afford to outfit two fashionable young ladies, so her older sister Emmaline gets the new clothing, and Nan has to do with cast-offs. That's why her jacket is too big. :^P But, she's taking sewing lessons so soon she will be able to improve her wardrobe on her own!

#7 -

wow. this lady has very large eyes. i see a brooch peeking behind that large paletot of hers. i also see a wedding ring... those coats are not too terribly flattering, but i must say it looks very warm. 

#8 -

and finally we have this young lady. in a rather sombre colored dress. was she mourning? has someone she loved been killed in the war? regardless, i like the little cap sleeve that is over the bishop sleeve. plus the small black trim around the cuff and cap.

well there you have it. the best of my cdv collection. i hope you enjoyed looking at them! 

for you creative people out there, if you can think of a name/story for any/all of my friends here...make a comment and i might add it to the post (with credit to you, of course). 

i can't wait to hear what you come up with!