Here are more details, and other views, of the Shades of White Bridal Gowns

The gowns in the Grange Mansion's period settings

Turn of the Century Elegance graces the Music Room	Three Twentieth-Century Brides in the Large Parlor

1860's Gown

From the back - showing the train and fringed back bow.	A double-darted bodice fits neatly atop a pleated skirt.	Inside details, with hook and eyes on the silk bodice, and an inside 'front-belted' hooked band - for security!

1879-82 Bustle-era Gown

The silhouette clearly shows the prominant bustle shaping and the vertical side ruching.	A front view reveals rows of tiered, pin-tucked edged ruffles; you can just see the vertical pin-tucking on the bodice and around the hem of the peplum.

1890's Ivory Bengaline

		The rich ivory bengaline of this gown is showing its age in a few places, but the skirt is still in relatively good shape. It is an excellent example of the classic 1890's trained gown - heavy folds flaring as an A-line skirt silhouette and complex interior shaping. It must have been an elegant bride who walked down the aisle wearing this!

1890's Bride & Guest

It took almost 4 hours to 'iron' each of those huge sleeves (actually gently shaping them over puffed, supporting pillows), which have interior netting to keep them crisp. Before the exhibit, this enseble had been stored crushed up in a box for years!	All the 1890's gowns have impossibly tiny waists - around 20" - and this one is shown off with triple black velvetnarrow ribbons.	Swags of cobweb-light silk lace frame the upper bodice and drape over the sleeve-heads, highlighted by velvet ribbon rosettes.

Turn of the Century Bride

	On a black velvet backdrop, the lace gown gives away its painstaking construction - the shaped flare of the skirt is evident, with each tier being carefully hand-sewn and fitted into the section on top and below. This is a back view, and the central back bodice motif can be seen.

Twentieth Century Brides

With the panels stretched out left and right, the pointed, longer sides of the handkerchief hem of the lace flapper dress are obvious. The lowest squared off center, semi-trasparent bit is actually part of a vertical panel heavily embroidered with crystal beads and pearls, which is tacked at the hem to the dress lining; its weight has caused it to droop lower than the front hem.	Definitely a tailored dress, with much subtle detail. Crepe satin panels hang from the lowered waistline infront & back. The promary decoration is triple tucks accented with horizontal running stiches and bugle beads. This shows a good view of the 'medieval' style sleeves.

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For further information on historic costume, contact L. Symborski, at TapestryLJ@aol.com