• A model wears a blue floral Victorian fan dress with a white shawl. She holds a fan and soft light bathe her and the surrounding trees
  • A photo collage shows two images of a blue Victorian fan dress - the front and back views
  • A close-up shows the ruching and piping at the waist of a Victorian fan dress
  • A close-up and side view shows the ruffles on the sleeve of a Victorian fan dress
  • A close-up shows the ruffles on the sleeve of a blue Victorian fan dress
  • A sizing chart gives the following information: - X-Small (US women's 0-2): Bust - 33", Waist - 25" - Small (US women's 4-6): Bust - 35", Waist - 27" - Medium (US women's 8-10): Bust - 38", Waist - 30" - Large (US women's 12-14): Bust - 42", Waist - 34" - X-Large (US women's 16-18): Bust - 45", Waist - 38" - 2X (US 20W-22W): Bust - 49", Waist - 44" - 3X (US 24W-26W): Bust - 53", Waist - 48" - 4X (US 28W-30W): Bust - 57", Waist - 53" - 5X (US 32W-34W): Bust - 61", Waist - 57"
  • A series of images illustrates how to measure your bust, waist, and hem length
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Stitchin' Addiction

Marmee's Fan Dress (1840-1860)

Marmee's Fan Dress (1840-1860)

$549.00 USD
$549.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
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Be your own Mrs. March was in this high-quality, historically accurate fan dress.  Whether you are an attendee at an event, a historical reenactor, an actress in theatre, or an avid admirer of Alcott's works, this fan dress will make you feel like the comforting, guiding figure that Marmee played in her girls' lives!

Fan dresses were extremely common throughout the 1840s and into the 1850s.  Even in the early 1860s, you will see that older women are still wearing them in photographs.  The intricate gathers and/or pleats on the bodice add a gorgeous detailing to this dress.  Our design is based on extant examples. 

When you purchase a made-to-order item, you get the dress of your dreams by choosing the fabric from the drop-down options, providing measurements for a custom fit, and even purchasing extra available add-ons! (Search the website for “add-ons” to see what’s available!)  Contact us through the “Custom Orders” page if you would like to discuss additional fabric and customization options that are not available on this listing.

As a custom piece, this item is professionally handmade at my Texas (USA) studio and order fulfillment takes 10-12 weeks. Please see the website header for a current estimate on the month your order will be shipped to you. Shipping within the U.S. is FREE for all orders over $50.

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ALL THE DETAILS

This dress is made to order in standardized sizing - choose the size that you currently wear in contemporary sizing and choose the fabric combination from the fabric choices. Within 48 hours of receiving your order, I will send you a measurement worksheet listing the measurements required for a perfect fit.

The dress includes:

  • a "Y" shape bodice, which visually broadens the shoulders and narrows the waist
  • intricate ruching and/or pleating at the shoulders and front center waist (which one is used will depend on the fabric chosen)
  • fully lined and fitted, boned bodice
  • back closure with hook and eye tape
  • long, fitted sleeves with a short oversleeve trimmed with a ruffle
  • full gathered skirt with a width of 130"-160"
  • hem facing
  • multiple 1" tucks around the bottom half of the skirt to help create the bell shape
  • two roomy pockets, hidden in the side seams of the skirt

**PLEASE NOTE: the dress shown has the piping add-on and the detachable long sleeve add-on.  If you want these on your dress, you must add them to your cart when purchasing.

Current fabric choices are shown with inspiration photos to help you visualize the dress in that fabric.  These inspiration photos are either photos of extant dresses or period fashion plates.  They serve ONLY as inspiration and do NOT depict exactly how your dress will be made. Once you order, I will contact you to discuss measurements and confirm exact details.

Feel free to contact us through the "Custom Orders" page if you wish to provide your own fabric or you have a different color in mind than the ones shown.  

To achieve the correct historical silhouette, it is pictured over a corset, corded petticoat, and regular petticoat, but no corset or petticoats are included with this listing. The boning in the bodice does NOT take the place of a corset.

Measure your bust and waist to determine which size to order and choose your size based on the pictured sizing guidelines. For the most accurate fit, please take the measurements while wearing your corset. The dress will be hemmed to sit about 2" off the floor; this will be based on the measurements you enter on your measurement worksheet.

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HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF

Please measure yourself while wearing the corset or other undergarments you plan to wear with the dress and remember that measurements such as your bust and waist should be smaller than the dress measurements by an inch or more, to allow for ease of movement. Refer to the measurement graphic in the listing and the video tutorial if you need assistance in understanding and taking your measurements. If you still have additional questions, please feel free to message me.

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CARE INSTRUCTIONS

A care card will be included with your order, but if you choose a silk or wool fabric, it will be dry clean only.  Most dresses made with cotton, linen, or polyester fabrics can be washed.

All fabrics are preshrunk, usually by prewashing.  Seller is not responsible for any allergic reactions to the detergent used in prewashing.

 All items with buttons come with an extra button sewn inside.

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