american civil war dresses Original Civil War Era Dress 1860s Mauve Plaid Antique
SKU: 90023129571
american civil war dresses

american civil war dresses Original Civil War Era Dress 1860s Mauve Plaid Antique

Sale price$20.78 Regular price$23.09
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Size: 4

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Description

american civil war dresses Original Civil War Era Dress 1860s Mauve Plaid AntiqueThis marvelous find is an original mauve plaid 2 piece Civil War era dress, circa 1860, that features pagoda sleeves and functional center front buttonhole closure. The most exciting thing about this dress is that the color mauve is incorporated into the striping of the skirt. Invented in 1856, mauve was the first chemical (vs. plant material) dye ever made and the color became one of the colors acceptable for use in complimentary or secondary

This marvelous find is an original mauve plaid 2-piece Civil War era dress, circa 1860, that features pagoda sleeves and functional center front buttonhole closure.

The most exciting thing about this dress is that the color mauve is incorporated into the striping of the skirt. Invented in 1856, mauve was the first chemical (vs. plant material) dye ever made and the color became one of the colors acceptable for use in “complimentary” or “secondary” mourning clothing. It is quite probable that, given the other colors in the skirt are black and white, this dress was made specifically for this purpose.

The bodice is fully lined in brown cotton twill and the interior of the pagoda sleeves is lined with lightweight, gauzier weave of ivory colored polished cotton. The upper portion of the bodice front is padded – seen as tiny hand stitches that hold the padding in place on the inside only, and there are 3 stays – they feel like they could be baleen. The collar, armscye, and waist have tiny self-fabric piping. The sleeve tops are box pleated at the top and are finished with fringed ribbon at the cuff. The closure is at center front with 9 handmade buttonholes and the prettiest little goldtone and black glass buttons that have a goldstone curly cue molded into them.  Of note is an extra buttonhole that was turned under and a tiny brass hook with an even tinier handmade thread eye.

The front of the bodice has quite a bit of yellow/brown staining and the underarm area is also stained. The skirt is fully lined with brown cotton and has a pocket attached at the waistband. The waistband looks to be hand sewn to the knife pleated skirt. There is damage to the waistband, at the closure area (no hooks and eyes) and a tear, about the size of a buttonhole, elsewhere on the waistband. The bottom of the skirt does have a hem protector, but the hem was shortened and has been tucked to the inside. This shortening has been done neatly and well, and probably could be removed to restore the skirt to its original length if so desired. There is generalized slight darkening of the front of the skirt, and a few scattered brown spots and pin holes. There is a small hole in the silk fabric on the left side (pictured) that is slightly larger than a pencil tip eraser.

Condition:

Overall, the silk fabric is in exceptional condition with no splitting or shattering. The entire dress is reasonably strong and supple, probably due to the full lining. There are several tiny dot holes in the silk throughout. There is generalized slight darkening of the front of the skirt, and a few scattered brown spots and pin holes. There is a small hole in the silk fabric on the left side of the skirt (pictured) that is slightly larger than a pencil tip eraser, along with the issues mentioned above in the body of the description.

Approximate measurements are given for reference only, as garments of this age cannot stand up to the stress of being worn.

Measurements:

BODICE

Bust: 33”
Waist: 24”

SKIRT

Waist: 23”
Skirt Length: 41 3/8” (measured from the bottom of the waistband to the CURRENT hem)
Sweep: 147”

 

(Shown over a period cage crinoline, which is NOT included but is available separately. Please ask! We usually have many hoops / cages available for sale.)

This is an antique dress. Due to the fragile nature of antique dresses, we cannot accept returns on this dress.

 

 

Purchase of this item means that you have read the full description and have read and agree to our  shop policies.

______________________________________________________

Copyright © 2025 by Belle à Coeur, all rights reserved

Images may not be copied, printed or otherwise disseminated without express written permission of Belle à Coeur or its agents.  Purchase of this item does not constitute express written permission.


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SKU: 90023129571

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A
Atherney Family Farm
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice elegant suit for any occasion.
Color: Light Blue, Size: 12, Color: Light Blue, Size: 12
The suit set is very nice, the fabric material is durable and soft. Overall stitching is tight with nice surging of the hems and great construction on the shoulders. Buttons and button wholes are well done. I'm going to iron in the creases on the front of the pants because they weren't folded properly for shipping. The material does hold on to wrinkles so don't be afraid of your iron to get a super sharp look. The color is a soft baby blue that stands out in a crowd of black suits. With the option of an elastic tie or clip on bowtie this is everything you need to make him look presentable for a variety of occasions. My only complaint about this suit kit is the dress shirt is stiff and thin. I found some loose threads that I don't trust to not get played with. I'll probably trade it out for something with a little more cotton. As far as cost goes mid range, but definitely worth the cost. I might consider something with a vest if it's a super formal event, but I'm very happy with how this suit comes together.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
M
Martin V.
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Modern luxury with summer fabric that performs above its price!
Color: Beige, Size: 14, Color: Beige, Size: 14
Wow! My son wore it for Easter Sunday and this suit fits the bill! The linen material is spot on--not too heavy and not too light especially since the weather is warming up now. The jacket is quality made--the design is modern executive, the stitches are strong no flaws to note. The pants are tad bit longer but that's okay, build quality is also great. The white shirt is decent and matches well with the rest of the set. The bow tie and tie itself is a great complimentary to the set, though optional to wear. The whole set just has that quality you would really look for in the price range you would want to pay. Overall, best value for for the, wear right outside the bag, maybe a light ironing otherwise it's perfect! I highly recommend it, no complaints here very happy with this suit!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2026
A
Ariel B.
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
Heavy linen character, but a beautifully tailored suit!
Color: Beige, Size: 4, Color: Beige, Size: 4
This is a really nice linen suit! The jacket is beautifully made and well-tailored, with a fun speckled texture that has lots of pretty color variation (we ordered the beige). When I placed it side by side with a similar linen suit from another brand, the difference in the linen texture was really noticeable — this had a much stronger linen character that stands out! It has three useful pockets on the outside of the jacket, which is great for little hands. The only downside is that one of the inside pockets is just for show (faux), which was a bit surprising and somewhat disappointing for my little guy. The pants have pockets too, but they aren’t very deep — perfect for small treasures, but not much more. The pants are made from a lighter, thinner single-layer linen compared to the fully lined, double-layer jacket, which makes sense for comfort and easy movement. The pants didn’t come with a front crease ironed in, so you’ll want to press one yourself. The linen did pick up some creases from being folded in the package, but it doesn’t seem quite as wrinkly as some other linen fabrics I’ve tried. Still, like most linen clothes, especially for boys, the pants will need occasional ironing to keep them looking neat and crisp, especially after a day of play and general wear. The structured, lined jacket stays looking smoother and more put-together with less effort. It also came with a bow tie, a neck tie, and a tuxedo-style white shirt as extras. The ties aren’t great quality — they’d work fine for quick photos but probably won’t hold up to much actual wear. The formal white shirt feels a bit funny paired with the casual linen suit, but I don’t mind at all. We already have white shirts that we prefer, so we’ll use those instead. For us, the extras are really just bonus items we won’t plan on using. Overall, it’s a handsome little suit that’s perfect for special occasions like weddings, family photos, or holiday events. My kid looked adorable in it! The stronger linen texture on the jacket gives it a premium feel that I really like. Just be ready for a bit of extra care with the pants to keep everything sharp.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2026
C
chzgr8er
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Great suit set
Color: Light Grey, Size: 4
It is incredibly attractive and includes everything a young child needs for a special occasion. The material is a 75% polyester and 25% linen blend, and the outer fabric feels remarkably smooth. Its unstructured design allows for an attractive, natural drape, and the blend conveniently allows for machine washing at home. As is typical with linen-based materials, the fabric can be naturally stiff and prone to wrinkling, so I recommend ironing or steaming it before use. The lightweight feel makes it an excellent choice for the spring, summer, and fall months. Overall, this suit offers exceptional value for the price.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
Tootie
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Dapper
Color: Sage Green, Size: 18
Suit is light weight and perfect for my son's homecoming dance. Sage color is as described and fit was accurate as well. Nice suit and material for the money.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026

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