Collar and Undersleeves (1850s-1860s)

Be your own March sister in a high-quality, historically accurate removable collar and undersleeves. Whether you are an attendee at an event, a historical reenactor, an actress in theatre, or an avid admirer of Little Women, these accessories will keep your dress protected from sweat, body oils, and wear at the neckline, armscyes, and wrists.

The Victorians would baste starched white collars and cuffs or undersleeves into their dresses to help extend the life of their dresses. Instead of washing the whole dress every time they wore it, they would wash the collar, cuffs, and their chemise frequently and the dress less frequently.  

Please note that trims such as lace, braid, etc. will vary slightly depending on stock 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

The collar is made of white cotton lace and white cotton lawn. It is meant to be basted in the neck of dresses during every day wear to protect the neck of the dress and then removed to wash it easily.

The undersleeves are made of white cotton lawn and are also meant to basted into the upper area of the oversleeves.  There is a drawstring at the top so it can be drawn in to fit the sleeve and at the wrist, a small cuff with a button closure.

Please choose from the drop down if you want the round collar trimmed with lace or the lace collar. Please also measure the neck of the dress you will be wearing it with when choosing the length. The collar should be at least an inch shorter than the neckline. If you are ordering this along with a dress from my shop, I will baste in the collar and undersleeves at no extra charge. 

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CARE INSTRUCTIONS

These items can be machine washed in a laundry bag on delicate in cold water. They should be laid flat to dry and touched up with a warm iron. Historically, collars were starched; this collar will come starched, but if you wash it, you will have to starch it again.

All items are prewashed and preshrunk. Seller is not responsible for any allergic reactions to the detergent used in prewashing.