1870's Bustle Dress * Day Dress * Trained Skirt

Talk about Flair!  This is an exceptional late 1870's trained bustle dress or gown to add to your collection.  Elegant, wearable, unique style, colors and details.  It also has rare Champleve Enamel Buttons.   This dress would have been worn either at home or for day use.   It is also in such beautiful sturdy condition and is a great size...that it could be worn with care today.

**This beautiful ensemble consists of a long close-fitting jacket, and a natural form...or soft low bustle trained skirt.  This look was popular from about 1877 -  1880. It is also called the "Fishtail" style, where the lower part of the skirt was gathered such as this, and ended in a train.

**The fabric is a very fine lightweight wool.  The colors are quite unique.  The jacket is mostly the Pimento Orangey Red, the back inset in the jacket is the deeper more true.  This deeper true red is echoed in the skirt....with the exception of the ruffle in the very front.  The entire ensemble is beautifully trimmed in Torchon lace. 

**The Champleve enamel buttons (A technique of decorating metal in which areas that have been hollowed out, as by incising, are filled with colored enamel and fired)  are exceptional....and quite valuable.   They are spheres, and there are a total of 10 that run down the front of the jacket.  Other details worth noting are the deep burgundy silk satin ribbons on the skirt in back, the cuffs and the pockets.  The skirt features a deep pleated trim around the bottom.

**The Jacket is not boned, it is fully lined.  It is long, and gently follows the women's curves.  The skirt is straight in front.   It has inside cords to pull the fullness to the back over the soft drop bustle.   The hem is embellished with a wide border of pleated ruffles.  It is also trimmed in the lace.  The skirt is unlined.   It has deep dust ruffle around inside (this to protect fabric).  The trained portion has a dust ruffle inset.  

C O N D I T I O N:  Overall Excellent condition.  There are a few light spots on jacket (see photo), and a few tiny holes.  Underarms are excellent and not stained.  In sturdy, very wearable condition.