You have to have a pair of stays or corset so your skirt and pockets don't weigh down and dig into your waist, just a heads up. I've worn Renaissance and 50's and heavy skirts hurt!
And editing Abby usually goes, "Unboxing Abby, why can't you just engage your brain for 5 minutes before you go off and say something stupid that forces me to do a voice over?" 😂
This dress right here is why Little Women 2019 was such a travesty as far as costumes went. Absolutely gorgeous ensemble. I especially love the subtle detail of that white ruffle that just peeks out. I love seeing your giddiness as you pull each piece out of the box. and why did we ever move away from day and night bodices? For anyone wanting to develop a capsule wardrobe this is a great idea.
I started doing this in my sewing .... I make skirts in my main fabric and then a top in the same fabric so I can wear it as a dress or as a top with pants or as a skirt with a different top.
I can't quite wrap my brain around the fact, that this is an actually historical garment. It looks like it was designed as the costume for some fairy princess in a modern fantasy movie.
Y'know how us fashion historian folks have like a dream dress they wanna make and it's usually like a Worth dress? ....I think I have a new dream dress. My bank account is already crying about the amount of moire silk.
@@charlottegury1243 I don’t even own hoops, I don’t even know how to draft this kind of dress, but something about this dress is just magical in such a simple way. I’m in love 🥰
True and well said! Back then most all people did for their clothing they did not have huge closets full or cheaply made clothes like now. They didn't get new wardrobe's every season or few years. These where usually lifetime pieces re-worn or reworked and usually passed down. They didn't waste like today if a piece was damaged and no longer wearable or fixable it was they used for other creations even if it was quilt parches or scrap. Thankfully some people over the years respected, saved, and properly stored these items with care to be able live on. Sadly many more do or did not. I had family members who throw away near pristine vintage/antique gowns and shoes etc. that most all where even in wearable condition.
I was wondering what the social class of the person who owned this would be. It’s a really nice and expensive imported silk but it also has the economic feature of having the single skirt for 2 outfits. Probably what we would now call upper middle class, since you’re wanting to demonstrate wealth in the fabric choice while also getting more utility for your money than just an evening gown.
@@koshersalt179 Yeah, the fact that this closes in the front center makes me think that--a woman who had to dress herself, but could do that really well
Is it possible that she was pregnant when they let the dress out. Because if she was, then she would have wanted to not change the back because her back wouldn't have been any different than the front would have been. Letting it out on the sides probably helped conceal the pregnancy as much as she could. Also, a front opening allows her to get in and out of it without a maid to help her. That would be important if she were unmarried or engaged with a set wedding date.
@@annieoannie I actually completely agree with this theory, that's why they let it out on the sides (which would have been harder) rather than the back, and accounts for the front closure
Imagine people 160 years from now, having gone back to made to order clothes holding a regular baggy white t-shirt and making a similar analysis. "Wow, look at this perfectly preserved rare specimen of fast fashion epoch clothing! It was used for all types of activities, lounging, sports, taking the trash out, walking about, you name it! Unlike other pieces of clothing worn at the time it was worn for years instead of disposed of after 6 months! Oh, the stories it would tell if it could speak!"
In 160 years they probably will be finding pizza stains on bathrobes, lol. Beyond 160 yers, thoush? Sadly i dont think most fast fashion would survive very long because a lot of it has such thin crappy fabric, but I suppose it really depends on what it is, since fast fashion includes so many different types of clothing. I guess a pleather jacket would still be around, but there would be a lot fewer chiffon dresses and tops. I think that's sort of sad because I think it's so fascinating to see everyday stuff people wore and used throughout history. I remember when I was a kid asking my history teacher how women dealt with their periods in medieval times. This was just barely before a teacher could say "google it".
Do people actually throw out their clothing that quickly??? The majority of my clothes I've had since I was twelve, and I'm fifteen now. While I have bought new ones over the years I still plan to keep wearing all of them until they're worn out
Oh my... I saw this one on sale on facebook... I nearly bought it, but it was too risky to have it shipped in Italy... I'm so happy that it will be in the collection of someone that will love it as you do
@@vivianbrown2477 I don't remember well, also I didn't asked more about it when I noted that the shipping would have been impossible, I remember a 50 $ somewhere but I'm not really sure, also I think it would have been only to fill the price voice of the marketplace ... I still have the photos saved, since I was planning to reproduce it, the woman was selling also other two dresses (one edwardian and one around 1880)
@@francescanappo6489 What Facebook group was the listing in? Even if I don't find anything I want to buy I would love to use the images in it as primary sources for designing!
@@coletteb.8889 Sorry, I don't remember, I think it was in a fashion history group, in any case it was definitely not common to find this kind of selling posts... But understand the intentI saved the photos of this one for the same reason 😅
This dress is beautiful! I literally shouted "It's PURPLE"!!! If I ever am able to get my sewing skills up I think this is my new dream dress. I love it!
I was mentally shouting that, too... Depending on the lighting in the different parts of the video, sometimes it looked washed out, but other times it was just the most gorgeous lavender I've ever seen. That plus the skirt pleating... I'm not personally a big fan of either of the bodices here (though I do love the velvet along the edges, another wonderful shade of purple and it's VELVET, squeee!) but if I ever decide to replicate a historical garment, there's a large chance it'll be the skirt of this. And then I'll make my own unique bodice(s) to go on top, maybe with the same sort of velvet edging as a nod to these ones.
I saw this in the livestream. glad you are doing a whole video on it. I love the voice overs. it is like "this is what I meant to say but I was too excited and thrilled to calm down and mention"
I think that if I wore something like this I would write a little list of why I had it made and everyplace I ever wore it and a summary of the event and day that I had in it. So everyone would know. Every dress deserves a diary if it's a beautiful creature like this.
@@Leelominai When I acquire something old/previously owned I try to imagine the original owner's joy at receiving or purchasing it and it makes me feel even happier. I don't really think that I am psychically seeing the past, but it's not hard to imagine some lucky woman being as giddy as I was when I bought my treadle Singer. Maybe I'm just weird?
This is the prettiest “extant” dress I’ve ever seen! The style and the color are amazing. I can picture the person wearing it “back then”. I wonder what hat she wore with the two bodices? Maybe you could show us pictures of types of hats that would have been worn with your finds!
I was thinking that the dress was let out because it was a hand-me-down to her younger sister. Or a less affluent cousin. I love watching your unboxing videos!
First...given 1860s, it's how things were in the times! Being a Civil War Reenactor for years, and wanting to make my own dresses, I can tell you firsthand it is NOT as simple as that may look to some. Did I take liberties? Heck yeah! Just learning about these dresses and how they were constructed with huge hems, kick plates(?), growth pleats, decoration, boning and such...even if you replicated the same pattern the dress came out different, adjustments needed to be made...and in those days, the dresses were made to last! They didn't have walk in closets with tons of clothing! They also passed down outfits...and once items became scarce thru embargoes, you were lucky to have a nice day dress....visiting was very important! Now the fact that you have BOTH tops is astounding! Very nice! Of course purple is my color, too! So excited to see this!
She said the opening was changed during construction. Her ladyship had become pregnant. She was able to wear the expanded waistline for a bit. Then it would be too tight in late pregnancy. After delivery, she would again fit into the dress and be able to feed the baby without assistance. Remember - no bottles; no formula. It was all mom, unless she hired a wet nurse - this lady did not.
Gosh, you look so damn good in red. Those sleeves on the day bodice are something else. Never seen anything like them before. I love this Lavender Lady.
I cant wait to be able to see a Antique piece of clothing live again... Ive learned so much from all of the Utubers I watch.. Ill be able to look at the piece with new eyes.. My love of fabric, history and sewing all in one.. Vintage clothes collects me ... People have given me pieces (1950s). Thank you for sharing your knowledge and joy with us. Peace
The condition this dress is in is amazing considering how old it is! 160 years old, give or take a few years. And the silk and velvet is still such a beautiful colour! 💜
That silk is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t believe that color has survived so long! I’ve always imagined people from this era in jewel tones and this is SO not that and I LOVE IT
I'm always impressed with how well these antique dresses have held up! The fact that this level of quality is within an ordinary person's grasp is so amazing!
I just had an epiphany, I realized that what I always dreamed of doing, adapting modern clothes with historical touches, was a thing. I’ve always loved historical clothing but as a teenager, ( and preteen) I never thought there were people who loved it as much as me and who would actually make their fantasies into reality. I honestly feel a part of a legit group of great human beings. Keep up your amazing work and I love your videos!🥰
Disagree with you about this three-piece vintage outfit being "cute." It's gorgeous, exquisite, beautiful, stunning, and/or clearly well-made and well-cared for quality skirt and bodices. Thanks for sharing and preserving these amazing pieces of female history.
Anyone else get delightful tingles from the crinkle sounds at the beginning of the video? No, just me. Also, I found a Dallas store that has Victorian and Edwardian clothes and I WANT THEM ALL. But I can’t. I’m refinancing my house and I can’t make large purchases. I NEED THEM though! Also, can you imagine the woman who wore this dress being like Abby and just delightfully prancing around life in this wonderful gown?? Yes, we al can.
The woman who wore this outfit and I had very similar taste - this is one of the first 1860s outfits I've seen where I haven't turned my nose up at it 😂
My pocket was a separate piece discreetly placed where my hand could get in and remove what I needed....mine could hold a bottle of water, car keys, cell phone, wallet, and of course tissues, gloves and a hair pin or two, along with my lip balm!
That color OMG... It's like a gorgeous lavender water color dream. Its stunning. Truly stunning. Congratulations 👏 and thank you for sharing this amazing moment with us.
This dress reminds me so much of the ball gown I wore when I was in an outdoor drama called The Liberty Cart. My gown was light blue silk with navey blue velvet for the trim.
I love the seemingly random placement of pockets on Victorian skirts. Modern clothes “pockets only go in these places” (also limits size of pockets) Victorian clothes “pockets go wherever we feel like putting them so long as it doesn’t mess with the drape of the garment.” (And we don’t care if you have to turn yourself into a pretzel to get into them. But you can carry anything you might need, ever, in there)
Oooh, POCKETSES! We LURVES pocketses! (Although it’s just the one so I guess it’s a pocketse.) Also, big enough to fit a teeny doggo if you don’t want to leave it at home while you dance the night away 😊
You are so adorable in your love and presentation of cool historical dresses. Touching history is so really amazing . I love the sleeves on the day bodice. The flow of the back of the skirt is so flattering. That whole ensemble is amazing.
The colour is STUNNING!!! The waterwave look reminds me of the waterwave taffeta my mother once had- she sewed a cocktail dress from it in an afternoon... yes- she was a beast.
Hello from Lizton, In. Absolutely gorgeous! At first seeing the bodice I thought oh no, that beautiful material is water damaged, until you explained the technique the silk went through. Amazed at how well it stayed in tact all these years. Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
I have neither the disposable income nor the space to purchase extant garments like this beauty, so I am eternally grateful that you share them with all of us [the best part is that I don't have to worry I am storing things properly and can just enjoy looking at the pretties]
I may or may not have drooled on my iPad over that beautiful silk! I’m a little in love with this one. I want to make it in deep royal blue...thank you for sharing, my favorite Abby!! Have a great week.
Ms. Abigail Coxingham, purveyor of fine goods: this is amazing, you're amazing, all of this is just wondrous! I saw your upload last night, and decided to save it for the morn, to watch over breakfast, and it is just as delightful as I'd hoped. Many thanks as always!!!
I'm waiting for the official "gorgeous " counter. Also, can't wait for the reproduction in green velvet, with off white satin. I'm seeing a water-lilly moment, where this is a lilac watercolor moment.
Question: how does taking darts in the lining but not in the exterior fabric affect fit and look? Is it more to take up excess fabric then to shape the garment?
@@jasonmack2569 more like the mock up is the lining fabric, so the darts were taken in to adjust fit AND shape, then the silk was cut to match the lining.
This is possibly one of the loveliest outfits I've EVER seen. The colour! The effect! THE SLEEVES! ON BOTH BODICES!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I've never had that Dress everyone seems to have that they'd love to make but uhhhhhh for me it might be this one.
GIRL!! I just love watching these because of your sheer joy. I Love how you squeal and carry on... then BAM... down to business. you start dissecting the dress and start rattling off your technical terms like your a damn surgeon. Then back to squealing. PURE JOY. The world needs more of this and more of you. BRAVO.
Such a pretty! I love when you do these unboxing videos. I am learning so much about garment construction. You are awesome and thank you for sharing! 😁
I used to sew...but nothing as complex....I so enjoy the "analysis" of the historic costumes. My mother sewed most of my clothes and I wore a lot of secondhand clothes gleaned,in those days, from church bazaars. Your expertise is a delight and your EXCITEMENT is infectious. Such a delight to follow you. Thank you!
That is maybe... the best dress I've ever seen? The fabric is gorgeous, that color is perfection, the velvet trim is so complementary, the day to night bodices, it's just absolutely brilliant. I think when I'm sad I'll come back to this video to just look at that close up footage.
O dear God. This is officially in the top 5 of the most beautiful dresses I’ve seen. I agree with the comments of a fairy Princess dress Thank you for sharing!
Ok, so imagine the word Versailles. Basically it's pronounced "Vare 'Sye" (like the words Bare Die). So, Faille is pronounced like the second half of Versailles - the Versailles in France not Versailles KY. Anyway, It's Fie like Die or... remember Fee Fie Fo Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman? I really hate it when people only give me one way to show how something is pronounced with American accents being so different we all pronounce many words differently. This is why I gave several examples. (My sister pronounces die like Dahhh, or rice like rahhhse, keeping her mouth open and extending the sound whereas most of us will round out the sound and clip it off. She lived in North Florida so long she picked it up.) Anyway, I hope that helps.
@@Kymberlee_W "Fie" is a great way to write it! I live in Quebec and that double lle ending in French doesn't really have an English equivalent (at least not the way we pronounce it in Canada, but our French is a little more unique than the rest of the world) but I love "fie", thank you!
@@jennieeveleighlamond why thank you very much. I honestly don't remember if it's something my French teacher taught us or something I just figured out on my own. I took 4 years of Spanish and 3 years of French in High School, then continued with French at uni. I always wanted to do something with it but had to make the choice of what I could do in uni that would net me the most financially and so I went into the medical field. Not surprisingly, having a basis in Latin based languages helped me quite a lot....even if they weren't Latin. And it didn't hurt when I lived in New Orleans, either. I was able to use both elementary Spanish & French in the medical setting with patients. I wish more schools taught it from a younger age rather than waiting until HS.
I am so jealous of this outfit, I want to recreate it so bad I mean, its purple, it's 1860s, it's modular, and that watery effect on the silk is just *mwah* chefs kiss
Would you consider making a video/collab with some seller about the antique clothing trade? I was always curious how this works. I can't imagine there's still unopened boxes/luggages/attics... with clothes in such pristine condition and how people source it, the whole shabang behind it.
@@m.maclellan7147 Thanks! I'm really curious. I know it's very different in UK or US from the place I live. I'm from central Europe and what did not get destroyed by WW2 it got destroyed by communists and the mentality people had after the regime.
This is GORGEOUS, but I also want to say a massive thank you for your captioning work! I have some auditory processing issues and I appreciate the time to take to make proper captions SO HARD
I LOVE the sleeves on the day bodice! And what a brilliant, simple idea to put boning in darts! I don't think I'd heard of that before. The materials and cut are so beautiful, congratulations on the newly acquired treasure!
Ooooh, that watered silk is gorgeous! And that piece of boning just under the eyes at center front on the day bodice is a great idea for keeping the fastening from popping open.
I love these unboxings. So fascinating to see how garments were constructed, they bring up mysteries as well as valuable info. It’s amazing how well the skirt stands so nicely by itself without the crinoline or undergarments.
Abby, you lucky duck!! this ensemble is stunning, the stuff of dreams... As a little girl, I had a little frock of similar hue, made from moire taffeta (probably a polyester, definitely not silk) it was my favourite and I wanted to wear it every day, but, you know, mums... When as kids we make up stories of what we imagine we want to wear for our wedding dresses etc, this was the sort of thing I wanted. Delicate, flowing skirts, fitted bodice with pretty sleeves, all made from soft, pretty, shiny fabrics...of course, not really knowing what it all meant, but still wanting it just the same...I think in a lot of ways, I was born in the wrong time... The fact that this ensemble remains as intact as it does, must show that these garments were most admired by the original owner and/or any further owners down the line. It is truly lovely, and has held up remarkably well through all this time. :)
I vote we go back to massive skirts with giant pockets instead of lugging around heavy purses. Brilliant!
You have to have a pair of stays or corset so your skirt and pockets don't weigh down and dig into your waist, just a heads up. I've worn Renaissance and 50's and heavy skirts hurt!
I vote that manufactures just need to stick in several man-hand sized pockets into every piece of women’s clothing!
I vote to that too
Massive skirts are a bit much for my taste but pockets rule.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssss
Abby opens box. Quickly looses her mind. Then realizes she needs to explain logically the items.... I love her so much 💖
And editing Abby usually goes, "Unboxing Abby, why can't you just engage your brain for 5 minutes before you go off and say something stupid that forces me to do a voice over?" 😂
@@AbbyCox Relatable.
This dress right here is why Little Women 2019 was such a travesty as far as costumes went. Absolutely gorgeous ensemble. I especially love the subtle detail of that white ruffle that just peeks out. I love seeing your giddiness as you pull each piece out of the box.
and why did we ever move away from day and night bodices? For anyone wanting to develop a capsule wardrobe this is a great idea.
I started doing this in my sewing .... I make skirts in my main fabric and then a top in the same fabric so I can wear it as a dress or as a top with pants or as a skirt with a different top.
You know what’s awesome? There was a woman in history who put that dress on and felt absolutely fabulous in it. I just love thinking about that.
I can't quite wrap my brain around the fact, that this is an actually historical garment. It looks like it was designed as the costume for some fairy princess in a modern fantasy movie.
Sofia the First drip
I would wear this for sure.
Well, Disney got it from somewhere! Lol
I just love this dress: the color, the fabrics used, the pragmatism of having two bodices, i'm speechless
I assume you meant bodices, not that having two bodies wouldn't also be practical :P
@@moonbeast1312 yes omg thanks for the correction
Y'know how us fashion historian folks have like a dream dress they wanna make and it's usually like a Worth dress? ....I think I have a new dream dress. My bank account is already crying about the amount of moire silk.
Same, this is now officially my dream dress
I can’t find any quantity lavender moire silk available online yet, so please let me know if you find any!! I’m dying over this dress 💕
@@SwitchelSweets i love how in less than an hour, people have already made plans to recreate this beauty
I have never made anything of remotely this scale, and I want it.
@@charlottegury1243 I don’t even own hoops, I don’t even know how to draft this kind of dress, but something about this dress is just magical in such a simple way. I’m in love 🥰
Those sleeves!! That silk!! The color!! It’s a fairy princess gown and I need it in my life 💕💕💕
The coloring kinda reminds me of the dress from the heroine in Tangled.
@@drmantistobboggangonzodr3961 omg it is a Rapunzel dress!
Whoever owned this obviously had a certain level of respect and admiration for good silk and went through a lot of effort to take care of it.
True and well said! Back then most all people did for their clothing they did not have huge closets full or cheaply made clothes like now. They didn't get new wardrobe's every season or few years. These where usually lifetime pieces re-worn or reworked and usually passed down. They didn't waste like today if a piece was damaged and no longer wearable or fixable it was they used for other creations even if it was quilt parches or scrap. Thankfully some people over the years respected, saved, and properly stored these items with care to be able live on. Sadly many more do or did not. I had family members who throw away near pristine vintage/antique gowns and shoes etc. that most all where even in wearable condition.
I was wondering what the social class of the person who owned this would be. It’s a really nice and expensive imported silk but it also has the economic feature of having the single skirt for 2 outfits. Probably what we would now call upper middle class, since you’re wanting to demonstrate wealth in the fabric choice while also getting more utility for your money than just an evening gown.
This must have belonged to a rather wealthy woman. How in the world has this dress survived in such good condition? So amazing!
I wonder if some of these really well done, well worn clothes were seamstresses' clothes.
@@koshersalt179 Yeah, the fact that this closes in the front center makes me think that--a woman who had to dress herself, but could do that really well
Is it possible that she was pregnant when they let the dress out. Because if she was, then she would have wanted to not change the back because her back wouldn't have been any different than the front would have been. Letting it out on the sides probably helped conceal the pregnancy as much as she could. Also, a front opening allows her to get in and out of it without a maid to help her. That would be important if she were unmarried or engaged with a set wedding date.
@@annieoannie I actually completely agree with this theory, that's why they let it out on the sides (which would have been harder) rather than the back, and accounts for the front closure
Yes, I quite agree.
I thought the same thing, too.
Imagine people 160 years from now, having gone back to made to order clothes holding a regular baggy white t-shirt and making a similar analysis. "Wow, look at this perfectly preserved rare specimen of fast fashion epoch clothing! It was used for all types of activities, lounging, sports, taking the trash out, walking about, you name it! Unlike other pieces of clothing worn at the time it was worn for years instead of disposed of after 6 months! Oh, the stories it would tell if it could speak!"
In 160 years they probably will be finding pizza stains on bathrobes, lol. Beyond 160 yers, thoush? Sadly i dont think most fast fashion would survive very long because a lot of it has such thin crappy fabric, but I suppose it really depends on what it is, since fast fashion includes so many different types of clothing. I guess a pleather jacket would still be around, but there would be a lot fewer chiffon dresses and tops. I think that's sort of sad because I think it's so fascinating to see everyday stuff people wore and used throughout history. I remember when I was a kid asking my history teacher how women dealt with their periods in medieval times. This was just barely before a teacher could say "google it".
Do people actually throw out their clothing that quickly??? The majority of my clothes I've had since I was twelve, and I'm fifteen now. While I have bought new ones over the years I still plan to keep wearing all of them until they're worn out
Oh my... I saw this one on sale on facebook... I nearly bought it, but it was too risky to have it shipped in Italy... I'm so happy that it will be in the collection of someone that will love it as you do
How much was it selling for?
@@vivianbrown2477 I don't remember well, also I didn't asked more about it when I noted that the shipping would have been impossible, I remember a 50 $ somewhere but I'm not really sure, also I think it would have been only to fill the price voice of the marketplace ... I still have the photos saved, since I was planning to reproduce it, the woman was selling also other two dresses (one edwardian and one around 1880)
@@francescanappo6489 What Facebook group was the listing in? Even if I don't find anything I want to buy I would love to use the images in it as primary sources for designing!
@@coletteb.8889 Sorry, I don't remember, I think it was in a fashion history group, in any case it was definitely not common to find this kind of selling posts... But understand the intentI saved the photos of this one for the same reason 😅
@@francescanappo6489 That's OK, thanks for responding!
This dress is beautiful! I literally shouted "It's PURPLE"!!! If I ever am able to get my sewing skills up I think this is my new dream dress. I love it!
I was mentally shouting that, too... Depending on the lighting in the different parts of the video, sometimes it looked washed out, but other times it was just the most gorgeous lavender I've ever seen. That plus the skirt pleating... I'm not personally a big fan of either of the bodices here (though I do love the velvet along the edges, another wonderful shade of purple and it's VELVET, squeee!) but if I ever decide to replicate a historical garment, there's a large chance it'll be the skirt of this. And then I'll make my own unique bodice(s) to go on top, maybe with the same sort of velvet edging as a nod to these ones.
I saw this in the livestream. glad you are doing a whole video on it. I love the voice overs. it is like "this is what I meant to say but I was too excited and thrilled to calm down and mention"
That is *literally* the purpose of the voice overs 😂😂😂❤ I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
I think of the life of the lady who wore that. Imagine if the dress came with a trailer of what her life was like. 🧐
Gosh yes! I think this is why I love old diaries and journals, you see goregous pieces like this and wish you could see a little slice of their life.
Yeah imagine that could be some sort of superpower, touching something and seeing the life of the people who owned it
I think that if I wore something like this I would write a little list of why I had it made and everyplace I ever wore it and a summary of the event and day that I had in it. So everyone would know. Every dress deserves a diary if it's a beautiful creature like this.
@@Leelominai
When I acquire something old/previously owned I try to imagine the original owner's joy at receiving or purchasing it and it makes me feel even happier.
I don't really think that I am psychically seeing the past, but it's not hard to imagine some lucky woman being as giddy as I was when I bought my treadle Singer.
Maybe I'm just weird?
@@lajoyous1568 nooo, that's a substantial part of collecting antiques I think and such an enriched way of going through life in general
This is the prettiest “extant” dress I’ve ever seen! The style and the color are amazing. I can picture the person wearing it “back then”. I wonder what hat she wore with the two bodices? Maybe you could show us pictures of types of hats that would have been worn with your finds!
I would gladly give up wearing yoga pants if I could wear dresses that gorgeous!
Let’s all do it!
Honestly!
Must have beem sooo airly down there (literally; wore no undies... I think?)
omg SAME. #goals
DITTO! This is my goal dress, want to make the full Dickensian outfit, from foundation garments to gloves, cape and bonnet!
I usually 'meh' at those big puff dresses because visually they just don't do it for me, but those sleves and the back are just lovely.
Same.
OMG It's so gorgeous!!!! Now I want a recreation of it for my very own! You are a very lucky woman to have the original!
*incredibly lucky* - finding all three pieces still together is just bananas!
This dress is what dreams are made of.
I was thinking that the dress was let out because it was a hand-me-down to her younger sister. Or a less affluent cousin. I love watching your unboxing videos!
Or maybe she had a child and then went back to wear it and her ribcage had expanded . . .
First...given 1860s, it's how things were in the times! Being a Civil War Reenactor for years, and wanting to make my own dresses, I can tell you firsthand it is NOT as simple as that may look to some. Did I take liberties? Heck yeah! Just learning about these dresses and how they were constructed with huge hems, kick plates(?), growth pleats, decoration, boning and such...even if you replicated the same pattern the dress came out different, adjustments needed to be made...and in those days, the dresses were made to last! They didn't have walk in closets with tons of clothing! They also passed down outfits...and once items became scarce thru embargoes, you were lucky to have a nice day dress....visiting was very important! Now the fact that you have BOTH tops is astounding! Very nice! Of course purple is my color, too! So excited to see this!
She said the opening was changed during construction. Her ladyship had become pregnant. She was able to wear the expanded waistline for a bit. Then it would be too tight in late pregnancy. After delivery, she would again fit into the dress and be able to feed the baby without assistance. Remember - no bottles; no formula. It was all mom, unless she hired a wet nurse - this lady did not.
At this time she might have lost the help to get dressed and did what she had to do with pregnancy, war, loss of affluence.
@@lisamisterek7683 exactly what i though
Gosh, you look so damn good in red.
Those sleeves on the day bodice are something else. Never seen anything like them before. I love this Lavender Lady.
The return of the unboxing dress!
Finally! Still have to make a linen one for summer 2021 lol
I cant wait to be able to see a Antique piece of clothing live again... Ive learned so much from all of the Utubers I watch.. Ill be able to look at the piece with new eyes.. My love of fabric, history and sewing all in one.. Vintage clothes collects me ... People have given me pieces (1950s). Thank you for sharing your knowledge and joy with us. Peace
The condition this dress is in is amazing considering how old it is! 160 years old, give or take a few years. And the silk and velvet is still such a beautiful colour! 💜
That silk is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t believe that color has survived so long! I’ve always imagined people from this era in jewel tones and this is SO not that and I LOVE IT
I'm always impressed with how well these antique dresses have held up! The fact that this level of quality is within an ordinary person's grasp is so amazing!
Gah! This is what I wanted all that I wanted for my last production of Christmas Carol! Need to show this to the costumer for next time!
I just had an epiphany, I realized that what I always dreamed of doing, adapting modern clothes with historical touches, was a thing. I’ve always loved historical clothing but as a teenager, ( and preteen) I never thought there were people who loved it as much as me and who would actually make their fantasies into reality. I honestly feel a part of a legit group of great human beings. Keep up your amazing work and I love your videos!🥰
Disagree with you about this three-piece vintage outfit being "cute." It's gorgeous, exquisite, beautiful, stunning, and/or clearly well-made and well-cared for quality skirt and bodices. Thanks for sharing and preserving these amazing pieces of female history.
Anyone else get delightful tingles from the crinkle sounds at the beginning of the video? No, just me. Also, I found a Dallas store that has Victorian and Edwardian clothes and I WANT THEM ALL. But I can’t. I’m refinancing my house and I can’t make large purchases. I NEED THEM though!
Also, can you imagine the woman who wore this dress being like Abby and just delightfully prancing around life in this wonderful gown?? Yes, we al can.
The woman who wore this outfit and I had very similar taste - this is one of the first 1860s outfits I've seen where I haven't turned my nose up at it 😂
You pulled the skirt over and started the voice over and the whole time my brain was chanting “ok,where’s the pocket in this one?”
and then BAM! there was the pocket. 😂
Never a Victorian skirt without a pocket.
My pocket was a separate piece discreetly placed where my hand could get in and remove what I needed....mine could hold a bottle of water, car keys, cell phone, wallet, and of course tissues, gloves and a hair pin or two, along with my lip balm!
New game to play for Abby’s unboxings, everyone guess “Where’s the Pocket?!” 😂
@@christinajackson2662 I believe there IS a game called Where's the Pocket...based on the period? Anyone else?
The condition that this dress is in is quite unbelievable
She is absolutely beautiful! The velvet trim is such a great contrast.
I love your commentary! It makes you truly appreciate the work that goes in to this gorgeous dress.
I want to cry. It is so beautiful! 1850's 1860's is my favorite time for fashion. Lavender is my favorite color. I am so in love!
I love the two Abby voices: super excited unboxing Abby and educational, calm Abby. I love them both!
Love this style of video! Genuine excitement on the one side and calm voice overs on the other :D Great choice and very well done. More please!
That color OMG... It's like a gorgeous lavender water color dream. Its stunning. Truly stunning. Congratulations 👏 and thank you for sharing this amazing moment with us.
I’ve had a dress similar to this saved to my Pinterest board for ages! SO pretty! Congrats!
This dress reminds me so much of the ball gown I wore when I was in an outdoor drama called The Liberty Cart. My gown was light blue silk with navey blue velvet for the trim.
That's a gorgeous dress! I love the sleeves on both bodices, and the skirt has a POCKET!
They seem to have appreciated pockets even before cell phones. Women have always had to carry extra stuff. At least once a month, if not daily!
I love the seemingly random placement of pockets on Victorian skirts. Modern clothes “pockets only go in these places” (also limits size of pockets) Victorian clothes “pockets go wherever we feel like putting them so long as it doesn’t mess with the drape of the garment.” (And we don’t care if you have to turn yourself into a pretzel to get into them. But you can carry anything you might need, ever, in there)
I’m reading a lady’s etiquette book from
1860. It mentions stashing your money in a petticoat pocket as well as keeping some in your skirt pocket.
Oooh, POCKETSES! We LURVES pocketses!
(Although it’s just the one so I guess it’s a pocketse.)
Also, big enough to fit a teeny doggo if you don’t want to leave it at home while you dance the night away 😊
You are so adorable in your love and presentation of cool historical dresses. Touching history is so really amazing . I love the sleeves on the day bodice. The flow of the back of the skirt is so flattering. That whole ensemble is amazing.
Can I point out the symmetrical watermarks. They’re fantastic and show the care of the detail.
Watered silk looks like the tie dye of the 1800's
I'm two minutes in and I already want to go history-bounding with this!!!
The colour is STUNNING!!! The waterwave look reminds me of the waterwave taffeta my mother once had- she sewed a cocktail dress from it in an afternoon... yes- she was a beast.
OMG I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS DRESS!!!! I LOVE IT!!!
Hello from Lizton, In.
Absolutely gorgeous! At first seeing the bodice I thought oh no, that beautiful material is water damaged, until you explained the technique the silk went through. Amazed at how well it stayed in tact all these years. Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
So pretty!! I can't believe its all together and in such good condition!
I have neither the disposable income nor the space to purchase extant garments like this beauty, so I am eternally grateful that you share them with all of us [the best part is that I don't have to worry I am storing things properly and can just enjoy looking at the pretties]
This just cemented my love of the 1860s and my absolute need to make stuff from this period at some point
What if it’s Meg March’s Violet Silk and it’s been in Sallie Gardner’s closet this whole time?
Oh my days yes thank you
Sallie *would*. Meg needs better friends |:(
I thought of this too!
That's absolutely gorgeous, of course I'm biased because purple is my favorite color. 💜
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing with us. The Seamstress was fantastic and very talented!
Awesome! 1 cup of earl grey and 3 shortbread biscuits later I can conclude that abby gets stupid excited about this dress. It's awesome.
This dress is REALLY cute! I especially adore the color and the cute sleeves of the evening bodice!
I may or may not have drooled on my iPad over that beautiful silk! I’m a little in love with this one. I want to make it in deep royal blue...thank you for sharing, my favorite Abby!! Have a great week.
I know you probably won't ever read this, but I simply love your utter joy and excitement when you do unboxings. We should all live life like you do!
Ms. Abigail Coxingham, purveyor of fine goods: this is amazing, you're amazing, all of this is just wondrous! I saw your upload last night, and decided to save it for the morn, to watch over breakfast, and it is just as delightful as I'd hoped. Many thanks as always!!!
This dress is the best color. Also, dealing with the piping where they let it out on the evening bodice is a WHOLE mood.
I'm only at 1:47, and I am already so happy. I love your nerdy enthusiasm Abby!
I'm waiting for the official "gorgeous " counter.
Also, can't wait for the reproduction in green velvet, with off white satin. I'm seeing a water-lilly moment, where this is a lilac watercolor moment.
ooohhhh that would be PRETTY
Do it! One could also do a terrific poinsettia moment in a rich red, trimmed with deep maroon or dark green velvet 🥰
Lovely. Imagine the history this dress has seen? Beautiful work and fabric. I can only imagine a room filled with ladies dressed in such finery.
I loved this dress. If you recreate any of the clothes you've shown so far this should be on top of the list. I think it would look amazing on you.
Question: how does taking darts in the lining but not in the exterior fabric affect fit and look? Is it more to take up excess fabric then to shape the garment?
Usually, this indicates that the lining was fit first, before the silk was added.
@@AbbyCox thanks, I was wondering this.
@@AbbyCox Never would have thought of that, being new to making clothes. Thanks!
@@AbbyCox I wondering this too. So if I am understanding correctly the darts are there to remove excess fabric for a bitter fit rather than to shape?
@@jasonmack2569 more like the mock up is the lining fabric, so the darts were taken in to adjust fit AND shape, then the silk was cut to match the lining.
This is possibly one of the loveliest outfits I've EVER seen. The colour! The effect! THE SLEEVES! ON BOTH BODICES!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I've never had that Dress everyone seems to have that they'd love to make but uhhhhhh for me it might be this one.
Thanks for explaining how watered silk is done! Oh that color!
GIRL!! I just love watching these because of your sheer joy. I Love how you squeal and carry on... then BAM... down to business. you start dissecting the dress and start rattling off your technical terms like your a damn surgeon. Then back to squealing. PURE JOY. The world needs more of this and more of you. BRAVO.
The lady who wore this must have been quite eccentric and fun! The dress has such a bubbly vibe to it
The sleeves of the day bodice are just absolutely gorgeous! And that silk! Such a wonderful addition to your collection
I want to thank you for showing the changes to outfits, which made me changing my victorian costume I am working on so much easier
This dress is glorious, I love your combination of unbridled enthusiasm and then the calm voiceover with useful tidbits of information ❤❤
Such a pretty! I love when you do these unboxing videos. I am learning so much about garment construction. You are awesome and thank you for sharing! 😁
the little white sleeve ruffle. I die. lovely dress.
I used to sew...but nothing as complex....I so enjoy the "analysis" of the historic costumes. My mother sewed most of my clothes and I wore a lot of secondhand clothes gleaned,in those days, from church bazaars. Your expertise is a delight and your EXCITEMENT is infectious. Such a delight to follow you. Thank you!
I love their idea of skirts and bodices. Love the double bust darts, pretty.
Honestly, watching you enjoy this is such a joy in itself!!
That is maybe... the best dress I've ever seen? The fabric is gorgeous, that color is perfection, the velvet trim is so complementary, the day to night bodices, it's just absolutely brilliant. I think when I'm sad I'll come back to this video to just look at that close up footage.
Beautiful dress. The person wearing it must have felt wonderful when she wore it.
O dear God. This is officially in the top 5 of the most beautiful dresses I’ve seen. I agree with the comments of a fairy Princess dress
Thank you for sharing!
faille - "fah-yee" (sort of), that ending sound of the word doesn't have an English equivalent. She's gorgeous, thank you for such a wonderful video!
Ok, so imagine the word Versailles. Basically it's pronounced "Vare 'Sye" (like the words Bare Die).
So, Faille is pronounced like the second half of Versailles - the Versailles in France not Versailles KY. Anyway, It's Fie like Die or... remember Fee Fie Fo Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman? I really hate it when people only give me one way to show how something is pronounced with American accents being so different we all pronounce many words differently. This is why I gave several examples. (My sister pronounces die like Dahhh, or rice like rahhhse, keeping her mouth open and extending the sound whereas most of us will round out the sound and clip it off. She lived in North Florida so long she picked it up.)
Anyway, I hope that helps.
@@Kymberlee_W "Fie" is a great way to write it! I live in Quebec and that double lle ending in French doesn't really have an English equivalent (at least not the way we pronounce it in Canada, but our French is a little more unique than the rest of the world) but I love "fie", thank you!
@@jennieeveleighlamond why thank you very much. I honestly don't remember if it's something my French teacher taught us or something I just figured out on my own. I took 4 years of Spanish and 3 years of French in High School, then continued with French at uni. I always wanted to do something with it but had to make the choice of what I could do in uni that would net me the most financially and so I went into the medical field. Not surprisingly, having a basis in Latin based languages helped me quite a lot....even if they weren't Latin. And it didn't hurt when I lived in New Orleans, either. I was able to use both elementary Spanish & French in the medical setting with patients. I wish more schools taught it from a younger age rather than waiting until HS.
I'm obsessed with the color and the velvet trim. Lavender is my favorite color and velvet is my favorite fabric.
I am so jealous of this outfit, I want to recreate it so bad
I mean, its purple, it's 1860s, it's modular, and that watery effect on the silk is just *mwah* chefs kiss
Would you consider making a video/collab with some seller about the antique clothing trade? I was always curious how this works. I can't imagine there's still unopened boxes/luggages/attics... with clothes in such pristine condition and how people source it, the whole shabang behind it.
I second this suggestion!
@@m.maclellan7147 Thanks! I'm really curious. I know it's very different in UK or US from the place I live. I'm from central Europe and what did not get destroyed by WW2 it got destroyed by communists and the mentality people had after the regime.
Yes that would be a great video!
This is GORGEOUS, but I also want to say a massive thank you for your captioning work! I have some auditory processing issues and I appreciate the time to take to make proper captions SO HARD
I LOVE the sleeves on the day bodice! And what a brilliant, simple idea to put boning in darts! I don't think I'd heard of that before.
The materials and cut are so beautiful, congratulations on the newly acquired treasure!
The flower petal looking sleeves are so cute! This is like what a Victorian fairy would wear in my mind
Omg it’s so pretty! That color.. the sleeves! Eeeeee!
I can't believe how beautiful the color has kept up. I'm in love with it.
Ooooh, that watered silk is gorgeous! And that piece of boning just under the eyes at center front on the day bodice is a great idea for keeping the fastening from popping open.
I love these unboxings. So fascinating to see how garments were constructed, they bring up mysteries as well as valuable info. It’s amazing how well the skirt stands so nicely by itself without the crinoline or undergarments.
I love this woman as much as she loves her vintage dresses
So exciting! My current project is a 1860s transformation gown!
The sleeves on both bodices are so adorable. Love you watching you unbox. The joy is infectious and makes me smile.
Abby, you lucky duck!! this ensemble is stunning, the stuff of dreams...
As a little girl, I had a little frock of similar hue, made from moire taffeta (probably a polyester, definitely not silk) it was my favourite and I wanted to wear it every day, but, you know, mums...
When as kids we make up stories of what we imagine we want to wear for our wedding dresses etc, this was the sort of thing I wanted. Delicate, flowing skirts, fitted bodice with pretty sleeves, all made from soft, pretty, shiny fabrics...of course, not really knowing what it all meant, but still wanting it just the same...I think in a lot of ways, I was born in the wrong time...
The fact that this ensemble remains as intact as it does, must show that these garments were most admired by the original owner and/or any further owners down the line. It is truly lovely, and has held up remarkably well through all this time. :)
That is absolutely gorgeous! Both bodices are beautiful! The purple fabric looks so amazing. Wow! I'd love to wear something like that!
Those colors!!! After over a century and a half! Wow!! Thanks, Abby!
Oh that soft lavender moire silk is stunning. What a astoundingly wonderful acquisition!!!! She is beauty, she is grace!!!