Victorian Black Velvet Soutache Coat Bodice

$100.00

This highly detailed, handmade antique garment is made of inky black silk velvet, silk and wool. Made between the 1870’s and turn of the 20th century, this unusual piece features masculine military detailing and nods to the Tudor era. Likely made as either a mourning coat or stage costume, it features heavy duty soutache corde embellishments and a beautifully intact pleated silk ruffle, both typical of mourning garments of the era. The tailoring of this jacket leans unusually masculine for a mourning garment, with an emphasis on the shoulders and upper arms as well as a straight cut waist and less dramatic hip tailoring than in typical women’s bodices and coats of the time. At some point in the early history of this piece (likely 1910’s), handmade lace cuffs were added and a matching ruffled lace cravat collar was made to wear with it. Possibly worn as a stage costume at some point around the turn of the century, the lacy cuffs and Tudor-esque tailoring and details would be perfectly at home in a Shakespeare production. In well preserved condition for its age, this piece is still wearable but delicate. The silk interior has shattered considerably and there are some holes and tears in the velvet, especially around the shoulders. The exterior of the coat is in very good condition, with all original decorations still intact and secure.

Measurements (taken flat and doubled): 40” chest (pit to pit), 38” waist, 52” hip, 18” shoulder to shoulder, 30” long, 12.5” neck (separate lace collar)

All sales final: It is our mission to disclose all issues found, but all of our items are vintage - which means most of them have been worn or used and may have minor issues. In the event that we have overlooked an issue, it is not because we misrepresented the item, it is because the issue was not apparent enough to demand our attention. We can only apologize for our oversight and hope you can either repair the issue or resell the item, but we do not accept returns for items we have photographed & listed on our website.

This highly detailed, handmade antique garment is made of inky black silk velvet, silk and wool. Made between the 1870’s and turn of the 20th century, this unusual piece features masculine military detailing and nods to the Tudor era. Likely made as either a mourning coat or stage costume, it features heavy duty soutache corde embellishments and a beautifully intact pleated silk ruffle, both typical of mourning garments of the era. The tailoring of this jacket leans unusually masculine for a mourning garment, with an emphasis on the shoulders and upper arms as well as a straight cut waist and less dramatic hip tailoring than in typical women’s bodices and coats of the time. At some point in the early history of this piece (likely 1910’s), handmade lace cuffs were added and a matching ruffled lace cravat collar was made to wear with it. Possibly worn as a stage costume at some point around the turn of the century, the lacy cuffs and Tudor-esque tailoring and details would be perfectly at home in a Shakespeare production. In well preserved condition for its age, this piece is still wearable but delicate. The silk interior has shattered considerably and there are some holes and tears in the velvet, especially around the shoulders. The exterior of the coat is in very good condition, with all original decorations still intact and secure.

Measurements (taken flat and doubled): 40” chest (pit to pit), 38” waist, 52” hip, 18” shoulder to shoulder, 30” long, 12.5” neck (separate lace collar)

All sales final: It is our mission to disclose all issues found, but all of our items are vintage - which means most of them have been worn or used and may have minor issues. In the event that we have overlooked an issue, it is not because we misrepresented the item, it is because the issue was not apparent enough to demand our attention. We can only apologize for our oversight and hope you can either repair the issue or resell the item, but we do not accept returns for items we have photographed & listed on our website.