Reproduction 1880s Intergalactic Purple Evening Dress
Reproduction 1880s Intergalactic Purple Evening Dress
Reproduction 1880s Intergalactic Purple Evening Dress worn to Costume College 2025 for a Friday social with a group inspired by Punch's Designs After Nature. Studio photos by Mark Edwards Photographer. Also worn to Crocker Art Museum ArtMix In the Paint November 2024 with a Sacramento Kings theme and a group of us dressed in purple as royals. Studio photo by Dez Visions Photography.
Bodice
Intergalactic purple shot silk taffeta bodice lined in cotton twill has scoop neck, puff
sleeves, and hooks and eyes up the front.
Pattern: Truly Victorian TV460 1885 Cuirass Bodice.
Modifications:
- Size G
- Shortened 3/4” torso. Shortened back and sides even more
- Shortened upper front bodice 1”
- Shortened upper back bodice 3/4”
- Shortened arms 1.5” upper and 1.5” lower arm
- Shortened sleeves 2" and then tacked top mid sleeve to cuff to make sleeves appear even smaller
- Changed sleeve cuffs for smaller cuff
- Raised armhole .5”
- Taped from waist to Size H hips
- Cut and split to make bodice bottom even larger with 2" gore
- Moved darts
- Changed shape of front hem edge to make a sharper point
- Flatlined and did not add bagged lining
- Made wide scoop neck for evening bodice instead of square
Overskirt and Underskirt
Intergalactic purple shot silk taffeta overskirt and underskirt supported by a lobster bustle. Made overskirt with same pattern with more of the front panels tapered wider at the hem and then pleated up. Pleats hung too low so tacked up pleats on front seam lines.
Pattern: Truly Victorian TV261 1885 Four-Gore Underskirt.
Modifications:
- Shortened hem 2"
- Size I front
- Made waistband ~32.5" closed.
- Added pockets to back side seams.
- Opening on underskirt back left side. Opening on overskirt slit on back right side.
Completed: November 2024
Tags: #dress #1880s #Victorian #bustle