This stunning 1913 wedding gown was sold on eBay by USVainen, a seller (sadly, retired now) whose knowledge of vintage fashion was astounding and whose descriptions were delightful. This seller graciously agreed to let me share her images and words on my site, and I think you'll enjoy them as much as I did! Well worth the reading.

These are extant Titanic Era garments. I costumed a Titanic documentary, titled "Women and Children First," in April of 1998. Here are two of the extras used in the filming (the one on the left is yours truly, complete with vintage glasses!). The dress on the right is straight out of a 1912 ladies' catalog and features beautiful draping and inset details. My outfit on the left was made up of a walking skirt and fantastic jacket with braided trimming.

An original pattern for a ladies' "coat dress," this is very similar to the "flying" dress worn by Kate Winslet in "Titanic," only of later vintage (ca. 1918). The original pattern included the embroidery transfers for the designs seen on the lapels at right.

Lady Duff-Gordon, a Titanic survivor, designed clothing and was the first couturier to use a catwalk for her models! Her styles were very flattering, using drapery and soft fabrics to create an ultra-feminine look. [Note: Several years ago, I added a section devoted to the designs of Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon.]

The "unsinkable" Molly Brown, who survived the Titanic tragedy. Her gown looks like it is covered in crocheted lace. Love the hat!

This pattern is for a "dress protector"--fancy name for an apron. I based my Edwardian Apron pattern on this original.It works beautifully as a jumper over a blouse and petticoat.

1912 underthings from an original catalog in my collection. Lots of petticoats and corset covers. Note the long, columnar shape now that the S-bend has gone out of fashion. I just adore the deep lace flounces with ribbon through entredeux at the top. Heavenly!

Here's a great 1912 corset ad from a catalog. Note the corset on the lower left for nursing moms. Flaps unsnap to provide access for breastfeeding. These corsets are extremely rare and valuable now.

This is an original ca. 1912 afternoon dress from my collection. It was probably a deep lavender originally, but it has faded to a muted violet. I love the lace detailing. Note the raised waistline, which was fashionable in 1911-1912.

A beautifully illustrated cover from a 1912 Collier's magazine. The young man looks smashing in his suit and tweed hat, and I just love the casual elegance of the woman's day dress and wonderful hairstyle.

Here is a lovely example of a Titanic-era tea gown. Note all the trimming on the bodice and the skirt draping. The fabric is a wonderful, heavy silk with a beautiful drape to it. Simply fantastic.

A wonderful circa 1912 dress pattern for young women. The differing front bodice closures are fun to study. Those offset button closures were all the rage for quite a few years from about 1909 through the teens. (Many thanks to the Kerrie Lyons Collection for the loan!)

Here is a 1912 advertisement for men's socks from a ladies' magazine. His suit is great, but I love her simple gown with its square neckline and puffed overskirt!

Photograph of a young woman in her graduation dress, circa 1917. Note the soft, square lace bertha over her shoulders and the widely spaced horizontal tucks on her skirt.

This is a picture from a 1919 catalog of a woman in a white dress. Post-WW1, styles drastically changed, a direct reflection of what the world had just ben through. Instead of all the highly structured clothing of even five years before, clothing in the late 19-teens has a looser, more comfortable fit and is often made of "wash" fabrics that can stand more rigorous use. Coco Chanel actually pioneered these relaxed styles beginning in the mid-teens and using soft Jersey knits when wool wasn't available (as it was being used for soldiers' uniforms.)

Here are some of the featured patterns from the same 1918 People's Home Journal magazine shown earlier in this section. Patterns for waists are at left, while gowns and skirts are featured at right.

Both of these fashion illustrations come from ads in the same 1918 issue of The People's Home Journal. Although the dresses offered were produced for different companies, they share many of the same features. Note the sheer sleeves as well as the bodice and skirt shapes.

Here is a page from a beautifully illustrated 1916 menswear catalog. The women's clothing in the pictures is lovely, too! This entire catalog is available as a download on my Vintage eBooks page. It's gorgeous with a full-color cover.

These are my great-grandparents, Earl Ethell and Pearl Wright, in 1917 when they were newly engaged. I love his suit and natty bow tie, and her simple dress with its wide, square collar is lovely. They were married more than 50 years.

This photo is labeled "Alverta Watson Byland." This lady is also pictured in the photo below, about ten or fifteen years later. I believe the first photo was taken around 1906.