You will love this opulent one-of-a-kind dress for a formal event or reception, to wear to a period reenactment or for any special evening out. This formal edwardian style gown is carefully constructed in a retro early 20th century look using black silky mid-weight sateen that forms lightly around the torso in a close silhouette without binding. The simple scoop neckline sets off your choice of accessories such as a jet bead choker or chandelier earrings. Striking cap sleeves are formed by pairs of large black sateen tulip petals with burgundy lace peeking out underneath. The long skirt is gathered in tiny pleats around the drop waist with the bottom hem shaped into deep scallops. The same burgundy lace fabric that underlies the cap sleeves is a backing for the scallops and extends down below the midi-length hemline to skim close to the ankles. Hidden pockets on each side seam of the skirt add a nice touch and convenience. There are large belt loops but whatever belt may have been constructed for the dress is missing. A long burgundy mesh print chiffon scarf substitutes for a low-slung belt, emphasizing the dropped waist flair of the period. The chiffon sash is then draped in a diagonal across the back and wrapped around the throat with the free end slipped back over the shoulder. A large fabric dahlia pin with feather embellishment is secured at the side of one hip to hold the sash in place at the loop. The dahlia pin could be repositioned and the chiffon scarf worked with to get a different personal look as desired, omitting the neck wrap to showcase a choker or necklace. I did the sash/neck wrap with the scarf as it gives a nice look to the ensemble, but you may work it a little differently and use the dahlia pin to festoon a hat or complementary shawl or coat.
Bodice is fully lined and has lace facings. Skirt is unlined. Closes with 15-inch zipper in back. Zipper is fully functional though shown only partially zipped up on mannequin due to small size of bodice. Mannequin pictured measures 37"-26"-36" for reference.
Please check measurements below carefully. Bodice has no stretch. Full skirt is pleated all around the drop waist and flows out freely from there, so the skirt is more accommodating of size variation. Hemline will fall about mid-calf to ankle-length depending on height of wearer. Measurements below were made with the dress zipped and laid flat.
BUST (armpit seam to armpit seam): 17" (unstretched)
WAIST (side seam to side seam): 15" (unstretched)
DROPPED WAIST SEAM (side seam to side seam, measured 7" below waist): 17" (unstretched)
BODICE LENGTH (measured from left shoulder seam down front to dropped waist seam): 21"
SKIRT LENGTH (measured from center dropped waist seam to bottom edge of lace): 31"
HEM CIRCUMFERENCE (measured all around bottom edge of lace): 71.5"
Please contact me through ebay message center if I can answer any questions or provide additional pics/measurements. I'll be happy to get back to you, usually the same day I receive your message.
SHIPPING: I will ship in continental US (except Alaska & Hawaii) by USPS Priority mail, parcel post, or first class mail (depending on your location and weight of item), with tracking within 1 business day of receipt of your payment. If you definitely prefer priority shipment with insurance, please contact me BEFORE placing bid for an accurate quote to ship to your location.
PAYMENT is expected within 3 days of purchase. Ebay will send out a reminder notice the 4th day. If I haven't heard from the buyer by the 4th day an Unpaid Item Claim is automatically initiated through eBay. I prefer to work with buyers on payments, but if I don’t hear from you about a specific date to make payment, I can only assume the item will not be paid for.
RETURNS: I do accept returns, but for the purchase price only. Once you receive your item, you have 30 days from date of receipt to complete a return. If you wish to return your item, please contact me through ebay message center as soon as possible after receiving your item . Item must be returned in same condition as delivered, unworn/unused and with original tags (if new item) attached.
California Residents: 8.0% sales tax must be paid on the purchase price (not on the shipping charge though). A modified invoice will be sent to add the sales tax in to your payment due. If you pay the total without sales tax before receiving the modified invoice I will have to delay mailing until you forward the sales tax amount.
International Bidders/Buyers (also Hawaii and Alaska): Before making a bid (or Buy It Now purchase) please contact me because THERE IS ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COST TO YOU FOR SENDING THE ITEM OUT OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. I will let you know the additional cost based on your location within a day of hearing from you. International Shipping is usually via United States Postal Service First Class International rate but your item may be shipped by Priority Mail, so that insurance can be added, depending on value of item. Insurance coverage on international mail is only provided for priority US mail (not first class) and there is an additional cost for priority service. Please contact me via ebay message center if you definitely prefer USPS Priority service (includes the insurance). ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: SOME COUNTRIES ARE NOT THE SPEEDIEST IN GETTING YOUR ITEM(S) TO YOU QUICKLY! IF YOU WOULD LIKE PRIORITY SHIPPING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN ADVANCE AND I WILL GET YOU A PRICE.