Antique Late Victorian 1890s Wine Silk Taffeta Two-Piece Dress Set with Ruched Pink High Neck Yoke, XXS

Exceptional antique late Victorian two-piece dress set dating to the 1890s, beautifully crafted in rich wine-colored silk taffeta with a dramatic, sculptural presence. The fitted bodice is crowned with a striking pink ruched high-neck yoke, featuring four velveteen straps that wrap and accent each shoulder—an unusual and highly decorative detail. Additional velveteen trim defines the bodice front and back hem, continues down the front closure, frames the softly ruffled bust, and finishes in dramatic scalloped center points at both the front and back waist. The bodice interior is constructed with original boning, hand-finished seams, and a glazed cotton lining, retaining its original padded underarm supports used in the period to help shape and support the fashionable mid-1890s silhouette.

The coordinating skirt falls long and sweeping, finished with a particularly special scalloped hem treatment present at both the front and back. A straight, shorter under-skirt hem is lined with a velveteen hem protector, while the skirt itself is fully lined in dark brown glazed cotton, adding weight and structure. This set presents beautifully in near excellent condition and stands as a high-impact, elegant example of late-19th-century dressmaking.

Label: None
Content: Silk taffeta bodice, contrasting ruched yoke in fine cotton with a silk-like finish, cotton velveteen trim, and glazed cotton lining.

Best Fit: XXS
Please note: This piece was designed to be worn over period undergarments and fits significantly smaller than modern sizing. Due to the fitted, boned bodice and narrow waist, this set is best suited for a very petite frame or display.

Skirt Measurements
Waist: 22 1/2”
Hip: Free
Length: 42 1/4” (front), 45” (back)

Bodice Measurements
Underarm (bust): 30”
Waist: 22”
Length: 18 1/2” (front) – 19” (back)
Shoulder width: 12 1/2” (measured between velveteen accents); 15 3/4” across pink ruched yoke
Sleeve length: 17” (from underarm seam to hem)

Condition: Near excellent. The silk taffeta remains strong and luminous, with a handful of faint darker areas to the skirt. One area shows a subtle glazed sheen. Two tiny white specks and one small darker spot are present on the bodice, all minor and discreet. These are cosmetic age-related signs only and do not detract from the overall presentation.

Enjoy! #25-20

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We love international customers! All international buyers will need to pay their countries CUSTOMS FEES/DUTIES as these are out of my control. 

**EU and NI customers: starting December 13, 2024, General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) will go into effect for all shipments. What this means for you? Unless the item is antique (100 years of age and/or older), I will not be able to fulfill your order as I DO NOT have a physical location/address in the EU.**