This is a stunning light and airy late 1890s early 1900s dress set. The set is made of super fine and thin lawn cotton with lovely tiny roses printed on it. The bodice’s neckline is made of striped silk satin with pin-tucking details and a lace ruffle that trims the edge. The neckline drapes over the shoulders and down in the front. The cotton is gathered from the neckline and makes up the rest of the bodice. It is pin-tucked and gathered to make the mono-bust silhouette in the front; the back is more fitted and has a lovely V-ed line down the center back. It has long sleeves that are just a bit full at the elbows. The cuffs have two delicate lace ruffles. The bodice fastens up the center with alternating brass hooks and eyes and has plain white cotton fitted lining that is unboned.

The skirt is stunning, it is bell-shaped and falls to the floor with a lovely short but full train. The skirt is entirely made of rose-printed cotton and has so much pin-tucking around the entire skirt, falling to the shins. I can imagine how much work that would have been to do. From the midcalves down the skirt it's plain, with two ruffles along the hem in the cotton. The skirt is fully lined in white cotton and to help shape the skirt, the lining has full fluffy flounces at the hem. The skirt has a twill tape waistband and fastens in the back with two overlapping hooks and eyes at the waist and a few small hooks and loops up the skirt.

Condition:
The set is in great condition overall with only a few things to note. There is a darkish stain under the right arm. There are also a few little holes or issues to the warp and weft of the fabric. The last thing is I think the dress would have had 3 pieces; a matching collar that would have been separate either in the silk or the cotton. These flaws are small and do not take away from this stunning set. It could still be worn with care and has been professionally hand laundered and is ready to wear.

This item is sold from an excellent, highly rated vintage seller in Pittsburgh, Pa.