Silk Day Dresses

SILK DAY DRESSES

Our next group is a splendid array of Silk Day Dresses. In this collection I have tried to capture styles that would have been worn at all different ages. These are versatile affairs that were essential to any lady’s wardrobe. Very affordable to any women in the middle class.

	Leading the way is Allison in a brown and orange checked silk skirt and Medici belt patterned after an undated original. The plain muslin waist (or blouse) closes at the throat and features long sleeves finished at the wrist with a narrow cuff. The belt is made of checked silk to match, as in the original. Prices for this outfit vary depending on trims, but start at around $250 for the skirt and belt and $95 for the muslin waist.
	Our next model is Moriah is Robin’s new “right hand women” and has helped in assembling the dresses you see here today. She is wearing a pink silk skirt with three rows of black velvet above the hem from Godey’s August, 1862 issue. The plain muslin waist closes at the throat and has long sleeves finished at the wrist with a narrow cuff. The Zone waist is fashioned of black silk and trimmed with velvet. Prices for this outfit vary depending on trims, but start at around $250 for the skirt and belt and $95 for the muslin waist.
	Please welcome Nancy in a gorgeous magenta dress with velvet trim from Godey’s May, 1861 issue. “Dress with plain round waist with velvet belt. The skirt is made three-quarters of a yard longer than usual, and is drawn up at intervals to the proper length, forming puffs, with pointed pieces of velvet put on to cover the seams. This is one of the newest trimmings, and is very stylish. The sleeves are done in the same manner.”
	Our next model is Eleanor. who is one of my friends who likes to stop by and sew. She has created this dress while taking lessons in my studio. It is a brilliant burgundy silk number adapted from a dress seen in Godey’s. Sewing lessons are $40 per hour.
	Here is Michele in a lovely green silk dress with puffed sleeves adapted from a dress seen in an undated Carte de visite. Prices for this style vary depending on trims, but start at $375 using a light weight silk taffeta.
	Now Judy is also a member of the 15^th New Jersey Company A. Judy won “best visual” in the North-South Skirmish Association clothing compaction in the dress she is wearing. It is the Civil War equivalent of the “little black dress.” As an article in Godey’s November, 1860 issue declared, "A black silk dress is to a wardrobe as a ham is to housekeeping, always to be depended on." Prices for black dresses vary depending on trims, but start at $375 using a light weight silk taffeta.
	Next, I'd like to introduce my mother Doris. She is a graduate of Saint Elizabeth's College for Home Economics and is my inspiration for both my love of sewing and my interest in the Civil War. My first experience in reenacting happened when my mother, a member of the North Jersey Civil War Round Table, made Civil War clothing for both my brothers and I. We attended "The battle of Berryville" in 1963 as a family, camping with the troops. Which technically makes me a "Centennial" reenactor. She is wearing a black and tan number adapted from a dress in an undated Carte De Visite. If my mother was her current age during the Civil War, she would have been a part of that generation that linked the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. She would have been born in the 1780's, during George Washington's presidency. Her father might well have fought in the Revolutionary War. She would have Been in her 30's during the War of 1812, with a family of young children. Her sons and grandsons may have participated in the Civil War. Prices for this style vary depending on trims, but start at $375 using a light weight silk taffeta.

This web site is maintained by Robin Stokes, and was last updated 04/03/2008 . All text and images are copyright 2005 by Robin Stokes, who is solely responsible for the content and reserves all rights.