Antique Textiles & Vintage Clothing by Contentment Farm

Antique Victorian 1876 Silk Graduation Gown of Harriet Augusta Richardson

This magnificent antique Victorian silk bustle gown was made for Harriet Augusta Richardson on the occasion of her graduation from Howe High School in Billerica, MA in 1876. Found in the pocket of the skirt was a scrap of ruffled hombre silk with a note pinned to it that reads, "Some of the trimmings of my mothers wedding dress which was made over for me when I graduated from Howe High School.

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Delightful 1870's Victorian Dolly Varden Style Polonaise Dress of Harriet Augusta Richardson

This bright and beautiful cotton polonaise dress is made in the Dolly Varden style, of leaf printed cotton and would have been worn by a young Harriet Augusta Richardson of Billerica, MA. The Dolly Varden style came into fashion in 1872. Named for a Charles Dickens character from Barnaby Rudge, a historical novel set in 1780.

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Victorian 1882 Silk Wedding Gown of Harriet Augusta Richardson

Harriet Augusta Richardson was born in Billerica, MA in 1862 and was married in 1882, at the age of 20, to Lester Harris. According to the accompanying note, this rich maroon silk dress was her wedding dress. The antique Victorian dress features a fitted cuirass bodice with a shirred front panel and upper sleeves.

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Delightful Printed Cotton Bodice Circa 1850's

A delightful antique bodice of cotton printed with sprays of blue flowers on a white background. It dates to the 1850's with earlier elements such as dropped shoulders and gathered fan front terminating in a "V" at the front waistline present.

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Pre Civil War Printed Cotton Bodice Circa 1850's

Late 1890s Gates Family Wedding Dress Brattleboro, VT

Antique 1890s Gates Family Wedding Dress Brattleboro, VT

Unusual by today's standards it was not unusual for the wedding dress in the Victorian era to be a best dress that may or may not have been white. This Gates family dress from Brattleboro, VT, is made of woven blue silk with black braided trim. The weave of the blue fabric is open and the color of the peach silk lining shimmers through it giving an added dimension.

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1850s Child's Dress with Rose Trim

Children's dresses of the Civil war era were made originally with the growth of a child in mind. So that a child could continue to wear the garment as they grew taller, extra fabric was left at the waistline so that the dress could be lengthened.

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1850s Child's Dress with Rose Printed Trim

Antique Victorian Misses' Summer Dress 1890's

Victorian 1890s Misses' Summer Dress

This young misses' dress dates to the late 1890s and features a fitted bodice with ruching at the neckline and fitted, ruched sleeves with a ruffled cap at the shoulders.

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Classic Boy's Wool Sailor Suit Circa 1900

A classic! This vintage Victorian boy's sailor suit dates to the late 1890s or very early 1900s. Though they were popular for young lads of the era, they are not easily found today. This example is tailored in gray pinstriped wool with olive green wool trim around the collar, cuffs, neckline and used for piping.


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Classic Boy's Wool Sailor Suit Circa 1900

Stylish Victorian Silk & Velvet Day Dress with Matching Mantle

Stylish Victorian Silk & Velvet Day Dress with Matching Mantle

Dating to the mid 1890s this silk and voided velvet day dress features leg-o-mutton sleeves and double breasted front styling. The bodice is has an inset plastron, collar and cuffs of brown velvet sprays on a golden silk background which is set off nicely by the warm, nut brown silk of the bodice and skirt.

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Pre Teen Girl's Silk Party Dress Circa 1860s

Made for a pre teen girl, or perhaps slightly older, this antique civil war era silk party dress in a blue and white pinstripe is quite beautiful in its simplicity. The bodice is gathered with a flat yoke and wide neckline. The short puffed sleeves are fitted with a blue silk ribbon threaded around the edge.

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Pre Teen Girl's Silk Party Dress Circa 1860s

1880s Beaded Mantle Lace Inserts

Ornate Beaded Evening Garniture or Mantle with Lace Insets Circa 1880s

Quite elaborate!  This unusual mantle is made up of beaded macrame.  Floral lace  is used to add dimension and interest, outlining the edges of the sleeves and back as well as being used for insets from the shoulders to the front and back hemlines.

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Antique 1850s Wool Print Quilted Petticoat with Calico Lining

Beautiful floral printed wool challis makes this winter petticoat, quilted for warmth and lined with cotton calico. Entriely hand made and quilted.


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1850s Quilted Wool Print Petticoat Calico Lining

Dolman Mantle Passimenterie / Chenille Trims Circa 1880

Antique Victorian Dolman Mantle with Passimenterie / Chenille Trims Circa 1880

Designed to be worn over the fashionable bustle dresses of the 1870s and 1880s, dolmans were intended for warmth in the out of doors. The main fabric is an aqua silk plush with the chenille being dyed a slightly darker green/blue shade.

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Victorian Plaid Wool Sporting Skirt Circa 1890s

Dating to the late 1890s this plaid wool skirt would have been perfect for the woman who was enjoying a new found freedom in the ability to partake in sports previously reserved for men. Golf, skating and even bicycling were activities that women were beginning to participate in on a great scale as was reflected in clothing designed for more active wear.

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Plaid Wool Sporting Skirt Circa 1890

Victorian Boy's Suit by L.P. Hollander Boston

Dapper Victorian Boy's Suit with Soutache Trim by L.P. Hollander Boston

Made and sold by L. P. Hollander & Co., Boston, this Zouave style suit would have been worn by a very dapper young Victorian boy.  Both the jacket and pants are trimmed with black braid in a military style.

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Antique Post Civil War 1860s Trained Day Dress

A spectacular dress with wonderful detail speaking to the skills of the dressmaker.  Elaborate trims on the longer basque bodice and skirt with train would indicate the status of the original wearer.

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1860s Civil War Era Trained Day Dress

Victorian Silk & Velvet Day Dress

Antique Victorian Silk & Velvet Day Dress

Glorious blue silk with white dots is combined with rich velvet on this fancy late Victorian gown. The skirt is lavishly trimmed above the hemline with six ruffles, five with knife pleats and one of velvet for contrast.

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Colorful Silk Winter Bonnet Circa 1860's

This mid 19th century silk bonnet is one of the prettiest, most colorful antique bonnets that I've seen. It is made from pewter gray silk with pink and copper overtones and stipes in blue purple and light gray.  Dating to the Civil War era.

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Colorful Silk Winter Bonnet Circa 1860's

Printed Wool Challis Day Dress Circa 1840s

Printed Wool Challis Day Dress Circa 1840s

Dress styles of the 1840's were meant to emphasize the graceful and feminine features of women. The low, pointed waistline emphasized a thinner waist while organ pleats on the skirt lent a soft, even fullness. Worn over several stiff petticoats a dome like shape would have been achieved.

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Victorian Clothing