Textiles and Stuff 

This is a vintage wedding dress from the mid 1950s, in an ivory satin floral brocade. It has a fitted bodice in a princess line with a boat neck with softly folded collar and is fastened at the back with a metal zip and a hook and eye at the neck. The skirt is gathered at the sides and back with this seam and that at the yoke piped and a long train at the back. The sleeves are long with pointed hem and fastened with press studs, with covered buttons as a trim. There is a small pocket in the side seam of the dress and a blue bow stitched inside the dress, a traditional touch. The measurements are as follows: bust: 91 cms. Waist: 71 cms. Outside sleeve length (excluding point): 58 cms. Length shoulder to hem: 152 cms. These are the flat measurements. There is also a small quantity of the original fabric available, a piece approximately 261 cms. x 45 cms. The dress is in very good condition except for a few age marks, but these are more prominent on the inside than the outside of he fabric and are not noticeable. There are some small marks on the hem mostly on the train. The dress is very wearable, but could also be used at the basis of a theatrical or period costume.

This is a pair of vintage riding breeches by the well known tailors Bernard Weatherill. They are made of a heavy weight woollen fabric with suede reinforcement and six small buttons and laces at the leg. They have a fall flap opening. Measurements: Waist (measured flat) 60 cms. Inside leg to edge of buttoned section 49 cms. There are a few very small faults, one of the small buttons at the leg is missing and there are a few places where there are very small snags on the fabric but overall they are in excellent condition and have plenty of wear in them.

This is a vintage set of Naval insignia comprising a leather and braided dress belt with gilt brass buckle, two sets of shoulder epaulettes, brass buttons, and two sections of thick twisted gold braid, These formerly belonged to Rear Admiral Chisman (1870-1952), who was an engineering captain during WWI, reaching the rank of Rear Admiral before retiring. The insignia are in excellent condition - the only damage seems to be some small moth damage to the woollen epaulettes, which can be seen in the photographs.

This is an attractive silk dress dating from the 1930s in a small green and white check fabric. It has a matching jacket with puff sleeves, white revers and a single button for fastening near the waist. The dress has short sleeves gathered at the shoulder and an insert of white silk on the bodice which is drawn up to form a square neckline, with a dark green ribbon. The skirt is full and cut on the straight at the front and back, but with large godets cut on the bias at the sides to give extra fullness and swirl. The measurements (measured flat) are Waist 26 inches Bust 32 inches Shoulder to waist 15 inches Shoulder to hem 56 inches The dress is in good condition, but there is some discolouration on the silk revers of the jacket.

This is a delightful child’s dress dating from the 1930s, in cream silk. It is sleeveless, with bound armholes. There are pintucks to shape the waist and also two embroidered small pockets on the bodice which are decorated with a tiny wreath of hand embroidered flowers. There is a long belt at the waist. The dress is loose fitting, the chest measurement is 34 inches (88 cms.) and the length from shoulder to hem is 22 inches (56 cms.). The dress is in excellent condition, the only fault being a tiny spot on the back which is hardly noticeable, very wearable and a typical example of 30s style for the collector.

This is a delightful set, a vintage small child’s bonnet and muff in cream fur. I am really nost sure of their age, which could be from the Victorian era up to the 19930s. They are both fully lined in white silky fabric and the bonnet has fur bobbles on the end of the ties. The muff also has a cord to hang round the neck. The muff is 8ins/20 cms. long and 16 ins/40 cms in circumference. the measurement round the front brim of the bonnet is 12 ins/30cms from tie to tie. They are both in excellent condition with no sign of wear. There are a few very faint spots on the bonnet and a small stain on the lining, but these do not detract from their appearance. They would add just that extra touch to a period costume, or be a welcome addition to a collection of children’s clothes.

This is a wonderful top quality red Tail Coat by Bernard Weatherill, one of the very best tailors on Savile Row, It is made of red wool and was made for their customer, a Master of the Hunt, in 1963. It is of traditional design, with six buttons at the front, two at the back and three on the sleeves. The buttons bear the initials C.F.H. It is lined in white, with a quilted area around the armholes. The measurements are as follows Chest measured on the outside, laid flat 48 inches Shoulder length 7 inches Sleeve (outside) 26 inches Sleeve (underarm) 17 1/2 inches Back, centre collar to hem 44 inches The coat is in excellent condition except for some moth holes in the tail (which can be seen in the last photograph and a small hole in the lining in the same area, but the rest of the jacket is intact and will give many years of wear. Together with the jacket is a pair of Vintage Moss Bros black traditional evening trousers in good condition, the measurements of which are as follows Waist 42 inches Outside leg 44 1/2 inches Inside Leg 31 inches. A wonderful outfit!

This is a vintage tennis dress dating I think from the 1930/1940s, in embroidered cotton. It has a fitted waist and flared skirt and cap sleeves of broderie anglaise. There is also a collar with butterfly motifs. The front and back sections are embroidered in white and have a design of butterflies and sprays of flowers. The skirt section is attached with attractive curved seaming which adds interest to the garment. There are no side seam or back openings, the garment is designed to slip on over the head. The fabric used for this garment is very reminiscent of bedspreads of an earlier era, and I do wonder if this garment was made from one during the second world war when clothing was rationed and a tennis dress would be considered a luxury! The measurements are as follows Bust measured flat 36 inches Waist “ ‘“ 35 inches Shoulder to hem 39 inches Shoulder 5 inches The dress is in very good condition, the only flaw I can find is a small brown spot on the back near the shoulder.

This is a short vintage apron in white cotton with inserts and frill of crochet, with cotton tape ties. The bands of crochet alternate with bands of three rows of pin tucks, and there is a chevron edged trim at the bottom hem. The waistband is trimmed with a length of broderie anglaise with slots for ribbon to be inserted. The apron measures 20 inches/51 cms. in length and 33 ins./84 cms. wide. It is in good condition and very wearable.

This is a tailored elegant jacket designed by Rosalind Gilbert and made of black moiré or watered silk. I have so far not been able to find out much about this designer, only that she was exhibiting in London fashion shows in 1947. The jacket has a fitted waist, a peplum which is elongated at the back into a long section which is weighted, and fitted narrow sleeves. The bodice buttons up to the neck which was a narrow collar, with moulded glass buttons. There are two small pockets at yoke height. The jacket which is labelled size 38, is displayed on a size 10 model and the measurements are as follows Outer sleeve length 18 inches Shoulder length 6 inches Waist 25 inches Bust 36 inches Size 38 is the equivalent of U.K. 10-12 and the U.S. 8 These measurements are on the flat. Please check these measurements carefully with a garment of your own, and feel free to ask questions before buying. I am careful to describe goods as accurately as I can, but secondhand items almost always show some signs of wear and may have small flaws which have been overlooked. The garment is in good condition, the only flaw is that the bottom button is of the same size and shape as the others, but a slightly different design, but this is not noticeable.

This is an attractive pair of ladies’ pyjamas from the 1930s. They are made of cream satin, embroidered with dragons, with trimmings of dark blue on the jacket and the trousers. The jacket fastens at the front to the side with press studs and is decorated with four flowers made of cord on the blue placket. The jacket is gathered at the sides at the waist and there are two small pockets, also trimmed with blue.The trousers are wide cut and gathered at the back of the waist with elastic. Also included in the set are a pair of bedroom mules also in satin and embroidered with a dragon, with white fur trim. The actual chest measurement is 40 inches (), and from shoulder to hem is 27 inches (68.5) the outside sleeve length from shoulder to cuff is 21 1/2 inches (54.5 cms) Trouser outside length 40 inches. The whole set is packed together in its original box covered in fabric, with a tiny mirror in the lid. The pyjamas are in very good condition, although there are a few faint marks mainly due to being packed away. The box which fastens with a press stud, shows signs of wear and there are some faint stains on it, but it is still sturdy and complete. This lovely set is so typical of the era and still very wearable.

This is a beautiful vintage jacket of Chinese silk which is fully reversible. One one side the silk is black with red chrysanthemums and Chinese symbols and on the other it is red with the same design of fabric. It has a mandarin collar and this and the facings on the front, the pockets and the hem bear a band of quilting in a meandering pattern. It fastens edge to edge in traditional Chinese fashion with black toggles designed as lotuses. It is fully reversible (including the pockets) and I think has never been worn. The standard of workmanship is high and it is beautifully made. Measurements Bust (measured flat) 38 inches (96 cms.) Outside sleeve shoulder to cuff 21 inches (53 cms.) Length from top of shoulder to hem 26 inches (66 cms.) Please check these measurements carefully with a garment of your own, and feel free to ask questions before purchasing. However this jacket is in excellent condition and being reversible is very versatile and would compliment many different outfits.