Mid-1870s Day-to-Night Bustle Dress

For the first weekend of February this year I got to have a little costuming adventure in Ft Worth, Texas. This was especially exciting as I’d never been to Texas before! And I have to say that what I saw of Ft Worth left a very good impression! It was so clean, the people were so friendly, the prices and portions for food were fantastic (even if the portion sizes were a little overwhelming) and the hospitality was overall so gracious!

The reason for the excursion was an event organized by the Dallas/Ft Worth Costumer’s Guild, entitled the “Victorian Soiree.” They found out that the Ft Worth Symphony was going to perform a selection of pieces from the later Victorian era and decided to make an event of it!

So, we went to the Symphony in costume and it was just delightful!

I had initially planned to re-wear my CoCo 2017 Gala gown but have decided I don’t think the bodice is really all that flattering on me and I’m feeling self-conscious these days about my flabby upper arms. Add to this that an idea for a new 1870s bustle dress had been planted in my head by a silk purchase a few months ago and I couldn’t resist making something new – with sleeves, lol!

Voila!:

The wisdom of making something new while I happen to already have a very full plate may be questionable but I don’t regret this make a bit, I love it to pieces!!

The skirt was directly inspired by this extant at the Vienna Museum (which also justified inspired the striped silk purchase):

the bodice was inspired by this extant:

Here’s the whole lot of us at dinner before the concert – a good size group, eh?

A selfie at the Symphony, with Dames a la Mode

And, of course, no costumed gathering would be complete without some silliness!

After the concert we spent a little time taking nice photos.

Swanning about the Opera House, as one does, you know.

Taylor got some nice detail shots of my dress:

I’ve been referring to it as the most Victorian Victorian dress I’ve ever made because it’s covered with just all the things! It’s so busy and fussy and just so much, lol. But I still love it!

A group photo to end off the evening:

Well, maybe not quite yet the end of the evening ;oP

But that’s not all! In terms of either the dress or the weekend’s events.

On Sunday a portion of the group from the night before went for brunch together…

and then visited a local historic house, Thistle Hill.

So, I also needed a day dress. Again, I did actually have options for this in my costume closet but couldn’t resist trying something out: making my new dress convertible to day wear with a few minor adjustments:

All this involves is switching out the lace sleeve ruffles of the evening version for longer, pleated ruffle-like extensions, a neckline insert and topping it all off with a hat!

What I especially love about this idea is that it made packing SO MUCH EASIER!

Although I think I need to fluff up the bow on the back of the hat some. Along with adding one to the neckline, I think. I borrowed the brooch at the last minute from a friend and it did fine but I think I’d like a more properly coordinating fabric bow better.

We started off with taking some pictures in the grounds while waiting for our tour to begin and then took more inside – and what a glorious inside it was!

Loren (@bauhausfrau on IG) got some really amazing shots of us all inside the house. I think this one is my favourite, It’s just so atmospheric:

The giant mirror in the parlour/drawing room was also great for photos!

I didn’t realize until someone else pointed it out but they’re all in chronological order:

and it wasn’t even intentional!

And a group photo on the grand staircase:

I just can’t believe how lucky I am that I’m getting to participate in so many wonderful costumed events around the country. I love to travel and I love to dress-up so each one of these excursions is like a little dream come true!

Do you ever (get to) travel for costume/sewing events? If so, what’s your favourite been?