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1879 Victorian Bustle Dress – Elegant Historical Promenade Gown
Do you long for an authentic late 19th-century experience and want to shine at a historical ball, LARP event, or Victorian picnic? This gorgeous bustle dress transports you straight back to the year 1879. Inspired by period cuts for daily strolls through city parks, it combines timeless elegance with premium craftsmanship. The fitted bodice perfectly accentuates your silhouette, while the richly gathered skirt with a train adds aristocratic grandeur to your every step. Thanks to durable fabrics and exquisite details like decorative ruffles and button rows, you will captivate everyone present. Become a true lady of the nineteenth century! Further product information ...
1879 Victorian Bustle Dress – Elegant Historical Promenade Gown
Historical Context and Late 19th-Century Elegance
This gown faithfully revives the fashion of the late 1870s, specifically the year 1879. During this era, the female silhouette underwent a fascinating transformation. The volume of the skirt shifted entirely from the hips to the back, creating the iconic bustle (also known as the tournuere). This gown was designed as a "walking dress" for the everyday life of middle-class and aristocratic ladies. Its purpose was to demonstrate high social standing and a keen sense of Parisian trends during public promenades.
An interesting fact from fashion history is that 1879 falls into the "Natural Form" era, a brief period where the bustle was temporarily reduced, and the skirt volume cascaded lower, creating an exceptionally slender and elongated profile. The rich gathering at the back flows into an elegant short train measuring approximately 40 cm (15.7 inches), which creates a remarkably graceful movement as you walk.
Premium Materials and Craftsmanship
When tailoring this costume, great emphasis was placed on combining a historical look with modern durability. The main body of the dress is crafted from a high-quality blend of 55% linen and 45% cotton. This natural fabric is perfect for all-day wear, being highly breathable, comfortable against the skin, and excellent at maintaining its historical shape. The contrasting elements, such as the wide sleeves and the high collar, are made from decorative brocade (70% PES, 30% metallic fibre). This brocade is densely woven, highly resistant to snags or abrasion, and adds a luxurious metallic shimmer to the gown.
How to Wear and Prepare the Gown
To achieve the perfect historical silhouette shown in the photographs, we recommend wearing a Victorian corset and a specialized bustle petticoat or bustle pad underneath the gown. Without this structural support, the back of the skirt will not hold its shape and volume correctly. The dress is donned over the head, and the front features two rows of decorative buttons along the contrasting chest panel.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Historical Period | Late Victorian era (circa 1879) |
| Style | Promenade walking dress with fitted bodice, bustle, and train |
| Main Body Material | 55% linen, 45% cotton |
| Accent Material | Decorative brocade (70% PES, 30% metallic fibre) |
| Embellishments | Pleated ruffles on hems, decorative buttons, contrast panels |
| Colour Palette | Dusty pink, brick red, olive gold |
| Train Length | Approx. 40 cm (15.7 inches) |
Care Instructions and Safety Warnings
Due to the metallic fibres in the brocade and the delicate ruffles, you must never machine wash or tumble dry this garment. We strictly recommend professional dry cleaning. If necessary, linen parts can be spot-cleaned locally with lukewarm water. Always iron the dress from the inside out (reverse side) at a low temperature (silk/synthetics setting) and use a protective pressing cloth to avoid damaging the brocade patterns.
When attending events, please be cautious when climbing stairs or walking on uneven ground—the rear train increases the risk of tripping or catching on surrounding objects. This dress is not designed for sudden, violent movements, theatrical stunts, or HEMA combat, as the tight seams of the bodice could burst under excessive strain.
Recommended Accessories
To complement this gown, we recommend adding a period-correct Victorian parasol, a lace fan, and lace-up Victorian boots from the late nineteenth century. Please note that any accessories shown in the photographs (such as the hairstyle or structural undergarments) are not included with the dress.
This Victorian Bustle Dress can be made in various colors according to these sample cards. Please note the requested color(s) into your order, in the field for your comment. Please specify always (1) the number of the sample card, (2) letter of the color, and (3) description of the colour (Example: 04-F-blue). If you choose a fabric with different composition, the price may change. Possible price change will be consulted with you before processing the order.
This Victorian Bustle Dress will be made exactly to your measure. Please fill in this measurement chart after finishing your order.
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