Gallery

1870's

Great Grandmother in a black silk crinoline dress overlaid with black lace and beading, with a black lace and beaded pellerine. The sleeves and skirt are also self embroidered, and have 2 full petticoats beneath the (lined) skirt. Great Grandmamma wears a white lace housecap and has a very ornate black straw poke bonnet, trimmed inside the brim as well as outside, with black lace and ribbons. She carries a small black beaded bag.

Great Grandmamma is talking to her great granddaughter Clara who is wearing her first "real" ballgown. As is suitable for a young lady just "coming out", Clara wears white, the lined white silk skirt being overlaid by white lace and self-embroidery with a guipure lace band over all. Satin flowers and ribbon knots have been applied around the bottom of the skirt and trimmed with a bead embroidery. There is a satin sash and bow with falling bands, together with guipure lace and pearl motifs down the back train. The bodice is silk ribbon trimmed over heavy lace and then pearl trimmed around the neck. Guipure lace adorns the elbow length sleeves. In her hair, Clara wears a pearl and gold bead bandeau tiara, and has a pearl bracelet. She also has a lace stole (not seen) and very ornate petticoats and pantaloons.

Sitting on the floor and enjoying the fashion show is little sister Marigold. She will be "coming out" in a year or two and is looking forward to all the parties! Marigold wears a yellow flower sprigged cotton crinoline skirt banded with golden orange and overlaid with white lace. The lined white skirt is held out over 2 very full petticoats, she also wears lace pantaloons. Marigold's matching tan felt jacket is lined with the same cotton material as the skirt and is removeable. She wears a cotton and lace trimmed blouse, the lace trims at the wrists being visable below the jacket sleeves. Marigold's bonnet is of a fine straw, lined with the yellow cotten and lace at the face edge, and trimmed with lace and matching golden orange bow. She also has "chase me" streamers hanging down her back from the bonnet (instead of fastening below the chin).

1840's

Margaret, an early Victorian miss is taking a posy of flowers to a friend. Margaret is wearing a day dress made from pink flowered cotton, which has a full "bell-shaped" skirt and elbow length puffed sleeves. The dress is lined with white cotton and lavishly trimmed with white cotton guipure lace across the bodice and sleeves. Beneath her dress, Margaret has cotton and lace pantaloons and 2 petticoats. She also is wearing a (removeable) white broad brimmed "poke" bonnet, which is trimmed with the same white cotton guipure lace and flowers. Margaret's shawl (also removeable) is made from cotton muslin and is trimmed with lace and satin flowers, she also carries a small matching handbag.

1880

Alice wears a daydress from the Middle Victorian era. The dress has a bodice and skirt of rose-pink dupion silk with contrasting sleeves and front and back over skirts and train of multi striped silk. The outfit is also trimmed with lace, ribbons, flowers and embroideries. Beneath the dress Alice wears white cotton and lace pantaloons and petticoats. Alice also wears a (removeable) small silk hat which is trimmed with harmonising feathers and ribbons. It is kept in place with an ornate hatpin. Alice also carries a beaded handbag.

A Victorian street scene: visiting Mr Gibson the Grocer

Mr Gibson the Grocer wears a suit of charcoal tweed with a removeable jacket. He also wears a wooly sleeveless jumper over a shirt and cravat. He has a heavy cotton apron (which is removeable) with front pockets for "bits and bobs". He has a wooden trolley with a fish basket on. He is discussing "today's best buy" with Lavinia and Jane who are sisters who like to shop together. Emily is on her way to meet a friend.

Lavinia wears a (removeable) jacket and skirt suit made from a dusky mauve silk jaquard trimmed with grey lace and frilly lined. Her hat is trimmed with lace, feather and silk roses and is removeable. There is also a hatpin.

Jane also wears a jacket and skirt. Her lined jacket is charcoal felt and trimmed with black cotton lace braiding. It is removeable, and Jane's blouse is trimmed with white lace. Her lined skirt is made from french navy spotted cotton and has trimming bands of black cotton lace braiding. Her removeable hat is a blue straw broad brimmed bonnet trimmed with lace, ribbons and flowers. She pushes a wicker shopping trolley containing vegetables.

Emily wears an outfit made from Geranium Red watered silk and white cotton mock blouse (i.e., the jacket is not removeable) which is lavishly trimmed with white cotton guipure lace, complete with a brooch on the jabot. Her (removeable) hat matches the outfit and is trimmed with ribbons and flowers. She carries a basket for her purchaces.

John is a late Victorian boy and wears a cotton sailorsuit. His little brother Thomas also wears a cotton sailorsuit and beret. Big sister Lucy attempts to stop Thomas from throwing his ball at little sister Mabel. Lucy wears a peach satin frock, trimmed with lace and self embroidery. The dress is tied with a peach satin sash, tied in a big bow at the back. She also has a lacey white, sleeved apron to keep a frock clean (removeable). Mabel wears a red flowered cotton frock, with lace trimmed undersleeves and has a cream straw poke bonnet, trimmed with lace and ribbon bows and flowers (hat removeable). She carries a teddy. Both Lucy and Mabel wear lace and cotton pantaloons and full petticoats.

Granny has just been to the shops and carries a straw basket of groceries. She wears a (lined) cotton striped shirt with a lace trimmed blouse (with brooch at the neck) which is long sleeved. Over this she wears a beige felt mantle which is lined with the skirt material, and trimmed with light brown braid. He visal straw hat is navy (brim) and cream (crown) to match the skirt, trimmed with cream and light brown silk chiffon ribbons and flowers. Underneath she has lace and cotton pantaloons and petticoats, and also white lace stockings and leather bootees.