Emily's White Gown (1840-1869)

Be your own romantic heroine in this high-quality, historically accurate white gown.  Whether you are an attendee at an event, a historical reenactor, an actress in theatre, or an avid admirer of Dickinson's life and works, this white gown will make you feel like a work of art!

White gowns regained popularity in the mid-Victorian era and were especially popular as summer or evening wear for younger women.  There are numerous extant examples of both white fan dresses as well as white evening gowns.  The one surviving dress of Emily Dickinson's is white.

When you purchase a made-to-order item, you get the dresst 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 cotton or silk fabric in white or ivory (choose from the drop down)
• 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 sleeves with a fitted upper sleeve and a puffed lower sleeve that gathers to a buttoned cuff
  
• full gathered skirt with a width of 130"-160"
• hem facing
• two wide ruffles at the hem of the skirt

**PLEASE NOTE: the dress shown has the piping add-on.  If you want this on your dress, you must add it 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.