DRESS: PLUM SILK SHOT TAFFETA, FORMAL AFTERNOON/EVENING

This plum coloured formal afternoon or evening dress with burgundy brocade inserts. It is made of silk taffeta. This kind of taffeta is known as shot silk taffeta which means that two different coloured threads are used in the warp and weft. It gives the almost two tone colour depending on the light.
Taffeta was a good fabric for these styles of dresses due to the ability to retain the shape while worn. Starched taffeta could stay in the same shape over the course of an evening. These dresses when worn were notable also for the rustle noise they made.
This dress is a single piece and a very good example of the s bend shape seen in Edwardian dresses with the hips back and bust forward.
There are 11 covered buttons which fasten down the front – the buttons are act as extra embellishment on this dress with the contrast to the taffeta. The same covered buttons are on each sleeve – three for each sleeve. Adding extra interest to this dress is the piping which is added to the sleeves and bodice – made from the same material as the buttons.
The dress has a high collar which was fashionable during the Edwardian period. And long sleeves edges with lace and contracting fabric at the cuff. The bit of ruffle lace at the cuff (or at the neckline) was popular at the time – and this one here shows off a different style of lace again which is a heavier weight lace.
The skirt has a flat front and a fuller train at the back. It has the small bustle with a bow for emphasis. The owner could have worn quite a full petticoat under this dress and certainly would have made a rustle walking or dancing.
The skirt is also rather unique as it has this extra detail of this knife pleat trim.

This dress has a single beige cotton lining in the skirt and the bodice.
Purple was one of the most fashionable colours during the Victorian era and early into the new century. Purples ranged from lilac to plum like this dress.