Costuming in Seattle - 4 Seasons of Fashion - Historical Attire, Historical Costuming, Costumes Seattle, Lady Victoria and Sir Harry of Essex

Somewhere in Time, Unlimited presents: "Four Seasons of Fashions" May 18, 2014
	Miss Julie and Mr. Terry have been long time historical costumers and collectors of historical clothing. On this day, they shared a glimpse into this collection with the members of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited. Many members were fortunate enough to make the journey to the gathering to view, first-hand, a wide variety of very high quality garments In the collection, one can view garments for gentlemen as well as ladies. What is also special, is the range of color tones in the collection - the couple did not choose only colors and fabrics which suited them personally, but garments reflecting a range of style, color, and intricacy of detail.
In this image above, one can easily recognize the 3 eras which are represented. To the right, a pretty Laura Ashley frock with flowers sprinkled throughout makes for a wonderful dress for a garden party! The following descriptions of the garments were provided by Miss Julie.
	A gossamer 1980's ball gown is the color of spring lilacs. The under layer of the two piece gown is silk satin and the top layer is sheer silk chiffon with a dot and stripe pattern. The town has a moderately full gored skirt. The puff-sleeve bodice is trimmed with pleating and beaded lace. It has a hook and eye center back closing.

A circa 1901-1904 afternoon gown is made from a pink and white silk floral print trimmed with green velvet ribbon. The skirt has flat pleats in front, chevron pleats on sides, and back and a flounce at the skirt bottom. The bodice features a high neck, tucked yoke with smocking, and a typical "pigeon front" silhouette of the period. The sleeves are full to the mid-forearm with long tight cuffs.
An early 1940's evening gown for a mature woman, has a draped floor-length skirt of lavender and blue silk with blue lace. The bodice is styled with a V neck, smocked shoulders and long sleeves. The bodice and upper sleeves are decorated with silver beading on and around cut-out sections. A choice of nude, silver, blue or lavender slips could have been worn underneath to create different effects.
	A teal pinstripe wool three-piece suit is dated July 1940. It retains the trim, closely tailored look favored in the 1930's.

A circa 1960-62 slim sheath formal gown is similar to the styles Jackie Kennedy favored. It's made in a beautiful cherry blossom acetate, silk brocade in pale pink and gold. The sleeveless, scoop neck bodice with bust pleats has a wide bow at the Empire height.

The summer section of the display began with a Palm Beach label, white linen suit, the standard for elegance for the fashionable gentleman from the 1890's to the 1930's. The most typical "sporty" summer suit of this label has a stitched-in back belt and pleats.

An 1890's-1910's "casual" summer shirt has a narrow band for attaching a stiff collar and requires cuff links. This is an example of the beautiful cotton shirting weaves available.
Part of the Summer section of the exhibit. A mis-1920's lined silk chiffon afternoon dress has straight torso styling with a set-in band at the hips and a short, flared skirt. Close-up shows the lovely pink and teal peony print and short flutter sleeves.

Circa 1928-29 taupe silk evening ensemble has a lace bodice, a gusseted skirt with uneven hemline, and a coordinating cover-up jacket with flared, fur-trimmed sleeves. Close-up shows the exquisite multi-colored ribbon work flowers and fabric covered buttons.

Circa 1930-31 floor length evening gown of silk chiffon in a summery blue, aqua and gold. The gown features shirring at the hips with draped ruffles.
This ivory batiste, linen and silk lace summer afternoon gown is embellished with embroidered cut work and crochet buttons.	The softly fitted bodice has a v-neck filled in with a sheer, high neck modesty panel and elbow length sleeves.
This garment came with a typed note: "Grandmother's home made 1912 wedding dress" and was the overall favorite dress in the exhibit.

The skirt follows the newly fashionable tubular shape that became popular in 1910-12. The bottom is especially interesting. The bottom is especially interesting. Double layer skirts did not come into fashion until 1913-14. This one appears to have two layers, but it is an illusion - the top layer is sewn to the bottom, which is just a short panel underneath.
Guests are taking a peek at the back. Miss Joan & Miss Pamela.	Guests enjoyed posing with Mr. Terry's mantle. Miss Melody and Miss Pamela.
The artistry of Mr. Terry's woodwork commanded almost as much time and attention as the fashion display. (l-R) Mr. Terry, Mr. Paul, Miss Melody, Mr. Larry.
Part of the Autumn display.
	An 1840's cotton day dress with a lovely leaf print is completely hand sewn! Typical design features of the era include high round neck, soft fan folds gathered into a V-waist, long sleeves set into off-the-shoulder seams with two small ruffles and fullness beneath and the tiniest piping imaginable.
Circa 1879-81 two piece afternoon gown with natural form bodice and draped skirt.	The gown in constructed of matching chocolate brown plain and brocade satin.
	Typical of the period, the complex, layered skirt is ruched, draped, pleated and trimmed with fringe!
Circa 1890-01 copper color satin two piece afternoon gown has the newly popular five gored skirt.	The bodice is tightly fitted and the sleeves still narrow, not having evolved to the great puff associated with the mid-1890's.
The gown is trimmed with velvet ribbon and buttons.
	Circa 1911-13 brown cotton wide-wale corduroy two piece walking suit has a fitted, hip length jacket and slim skirt. The design achieves the popular asymmetrical look.
A guest who shared her vintage tea gown by wearing it, examines the fine details of the display gown.	The gown features double sleeves, a double criss-cross bodice, cumberband, and hip panels. It's lavishly trimmed with narrow soutache braid and tiny crochet buttons.
An early 1940's party dress of forest green silk velvet has a V neckline with small collar, center front gathered bodice and elbow length sleeves.	The net bodice sides and sleeves are lavishly trimmed with narrow soutache braid.
If guests wanted to wear vintage clothing or costume, an ensemble representing a season was suggested. Miss Julies wore a pink, early 1940's spring or summer cocktail dress.
Miss Julie used the colors blooming in their Pacific Northwest garden - pink, lavender, yellow, orange and white - as the inspiration for the food colors she chose for the tea table. Mr. Terry really does an amazing job of maintaining an extensive and beautiful garden!

Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you enjoyed Miss Julie's photos and could feel the fun and excitement we experienced at this gathering. If you'd like to learn more about us or historical costuming in particular, please visit our Homepage. There, you will find additional images, details about upcoming events, our educational wing (SITU-University) which teaches historical costuming, dress-up opportunities, how to become a member if you so desire, etc. You may also write to: LadyVictoria "at" SITUSeattle.com We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event soon!

Updated Dec 3, 2014