Cassandra's Mourning Dress (1800-1817)

Live out your historical gothic dreams in a perfectly tailored, high-quality, historically accurate Regency era mourning dress. Whether you are an attendee at an event, a historical reenactor, an actress in theatre, or an avid admirer of Jane Austen's works, this dress will make you feel like you are Cassandra mourning the untimely death of her sister.

While Regency mourning dress depended on one's social status and relationship to the deceased, black attire and/or accessories were part of Regency mourning rituals. With this listing, you can choose to get any Regency dress made in black to make you feel like a gothic heroine. 

When you purchase a made-to-order item, you get the dress of your dreams by choosing the fabric from the options given, 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 12-14 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 item is made to order in standardized sizing; choose the size that you currently wear in contemporary sizing and choose the fabric from the fabric choices below. Within 3-5 business days of receiving your order, I will send you a measurement worksheet listing the measurements required for a perfect fit. 

This dress is made in the Miss Lambe's Day Dress design but with short puffed sleeves and detachable long sleeves.

The dress includes:

• fabric of your choice
• a square neckline
• a front gathered bodice
• an underbust band with a hidden drawstring in it
• a back closure of buttons and the drawstring
• short puffed sleeves with long detachable sleeves that button in (a $75 value)
• a skirt that is gathered in back center, but fitted on the sides and front

The price shown is for the basic dress and does NOT include the train or chemisette that are shown.  If you desire any of these added to your dress, please search "add-ons" on the website and add them to your cart when purchasing the dress.

Measure your bust and waist and choose your size based on the pictured sizing guidelines. For the most accurate fit, please take the measurements while wearing your stays and other undergarments (i.e. shift, petticoat, etc). The dress will be hemmed to sit about about 2" off the floor based on the measurements you provide.

Choose your fabric from the options below; please make sure to scroll through all options and only select a fabric that is suitable for Cassandra's Mourning Dress!  The fabric content will be in all caps; use that to select your fabric content choice.  Then carefully type the ENTIRE fabric description in the text box to ensure that you get your choice!  Errors will delay will your order fulfillment.

Austen Collection Dress Fabrics

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.

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HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF

Please 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.

To achieve the correct historical silhouette, items are pictured over a shift, stays, and petticoat, but no shift, stays, or petticoat are included with this listing. This dress is made to fit over stays and will not fit correctly over modern undergarments. However, if you would like your commissioned dress to fit over modern undergarments, please send a message, and I will be happy to oblige!

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CARE INSTRUCTIONS

A care card will be included with your order, and care will depend upon the fabric chosen.

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

Items with buttons will arrive with an extra button sewn inside.