SHIRTS, BODICES & CHEMISETES
THE GARIBALDI SHIRT
Our Garibaldi Shirt for ladies was inspired by Giuseppe Garibaldi who with his troops, known as "The Thousand" for there initial number, or by there nick name the "Red Shirts" successfully re-united Italy in 1860 making them international heros. As part of there uniform they wore bright red shirts with full sleeves that were cuffed and buttoned at the wrist. It had a short stand up collar and buttoned up the front.
This was a very popular shirt during the American Civil War Era. You can see examples of it in every period American fashion magazine, Graham's, Godey's and Peterson's all featured a ladies adaptation of this shirt in one issue or another.
FROM PETTERSON'S MAGAZINE
APRIL 1862 ON THE GARIBALDI SHIRT FOR WOMEN
We make our Garibaldi shirt for Ladies exactly as the period lithographs and fashion plates depict them. The Garibaldi shirt in the photo above is from Goodey's Ladies Book, May 1862.
Our pattern was actually taken from an original that now resides in the Kentucky State Museum.
The body is not tapered toward the waist which gives you ease of movement and is very comfortable. Even if your waist is not quite as small as it used to be.
Our Garibaldi Shirt offered here is completely machine sewn but contact us if you would like part or all or yours hand sewn. A completely hand sewn Garibaldi shirt in a size 12 or smaller start at $79.95 Larger sizes are of course a little more.
Made from RED, white, black or brown shirt weight 100% cotton that is very comfortable.
Choose your color below and then choose your size.
WHITE Choose Now
RED Choose Now
BROWN Choose Now
BLACK Choose Now
If you would like another color, print or woven pattern please make your selection from our color chart. If you do choose from the color chart the shirt will be a custom order so choose your size carefully as there is no return or exchange on custom orders. It is best to fill out the measurement chart completely or come by for a fitting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR COLOR CHART
Choose your size below but be sure you have chosen your color first.
Size 6 LA111 $32.95 Buy Now
Size 12 LA111 $34.95 Buy Now
Size 18 LA111 $39.95 Buy Now
Size 8 LA111 $32.95 Buy Now
Size 14 LA111 $34.95 Buy Now
Size 20 LA111 $39.95 Buy Now
Size 10 LA111 $32.95 Buy Now
Size 16 LA111 $34.95 Buy Now
Size 22 LA111 $39.95 Buy Now
MIX & MATCH
It is currently a popular held belief in the re-enacting community that shirts and skirts were "always" of the same color. And if on some rare occasion they were not, then they would be worn with a waist or a Zouave style jacket.
(My Opinion) I'm not completely convinced that this is always the case.
If you can give me a PRIMARY SOURCE showing that I am incorrect I would consider it a great favor and would receive it happily.
Click on the link below for a few examples of Fashion Plates and Photos of ladies wearing shirts and skirts that are not of the same color.
I have several more examples and will post them here for you at a later date.
EXAMPLES OF MIX & MATCH
FITTED / PLEATED BODICE
Our fitted bodice is a very flattering garment. It is best worn by those who have a slender to moderate waist line, but we keep them in stock for larger sizes also.
This bodice has a princess style neck line (no collar). So you can easily add a sewn cotton, lace or a crochet collar.
SEE COLLARS ON PAGE 8
It has full sleeves with cuffs that button closed. The front of the bodice buttons closed but the buttons are hidden underneath a placket so all you see is one solid, uninterrupted color. The bottom of this bodice has a waist band that is fastened closed with 2 hook and eyes. The corsage (body) has been pleated and sewn into the waist band. A very nice look as you can see from the photo.
Our Fitted Bodice offered here is completely machine sewn but contact us if you would like part or all or yours hand sewn.
A completely hand sewn fitted bodice in a size 12 or smaller starts at $79.95
Larger sizes are of course a little more.
Choose your color below and then choose your size.
WHITE Choose Now
TAN Choose Now
BROWN Choose Now
BLACK Choose Now
If you would like another color, print or woven pattern please make your selection from our color chart. If you do choose from the color chart the shirt will be a custom order so choose your size carefully as there is no return or exchange on custom orders. It is best to fill out the measurement chart completely or come by for a fitting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR COLOR CHART
Choose your size below but be sure you have chosen your color first.
Size 6 #LA134 $44.95 Buy Now
Size 12 #LA134 $49.95 Buy Now
Size 8 #LA134 $44.95 Buy Now
Size 14 #LA134 $49.95 Buy Now
Size 10 #LA134 $44.95 Buy Now
Size 16 #LA134 $49.95 Buy Now
Here is an example of our size chart for dresses.
A size 6 would have a 32 inch bust and a 26 inch waist.
A size 8 would have a 34 inch bust and a 27 inch waist.
A size 10 would have a 36 inch bust and a 28 inch waist.
A size 12 would have a 38 inch bust and a 30 inch waist.
A size 14 would have a 40 inch bust and a 32 inch waist.
A size 16 would have a 42 inch bust and a 34 inch waist.
A size 18 would have a 44 inch bust and a 36 inch waist.
A size 20 would have a 46 inch bust and a 38 inch waist.
A size 22 would have a 48 inch bust and a 40 inch waist.
A size 24 would have a 50 inch bust and a 42 inch waist.
POINTED BODICE
During the era of the American Civil War, the pointed bodice was very widely used. Regardless of whether the skirt and bodice are of matching material or no. At least that is what the available evidence "points" to. (No pun intended).
(Yes, this is only our humble opinion, we know that there are many surviving bodices that are "straight cut" also).
If you have researched the period sources such as dated CDVs or fashion magazines, or if perhaps you have visited one of the wonderful traveling exhibits of civilian clothing that is currently touring, then perhaps you have already noticed this yourself.
If you have chosen a skirt from page 1 you really should consider a pointed bodice of the same material. Even if you plan to wear the skirt primarily with a ladies shirt. A pointed bodice will give your ensemble the look of a entirely new and different outfit.
Our pointed bodice has a fitted corsage (This means the body is tailored to your waist size.) that comes to a point in the front. The front of the bodice is "boned" where needed, to help it keep it's shape.
If your waist is not quite as small as it used to be, you may wish to consider shirt pads to help give you a more "V" shaped look.
SEE OUR SHIRT PADS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
The pointed bodice buttons up the front and has the bishop style sleeves.
We also offer piping for the sleeve/body seam.
What is "Piping"? Piping is a small piece of material folded in ˝ lengthwise, sometimes with a small piece of cording in the center, but more often not. It is then sewn into the seam of a garment.
This is often seen in garments of higher quality. On ladies bodices you will often find it sewn into the seam of where the sleeve fits into the body. In our experience the piping is generally, (but not always) made of the same material as the body. piping is available on your bodice for a nominal fee.
We will be happy to make this bodice for you in any color or pattern material you like but it is only available "off the rack" in the colors listed below. Anything else will be considered a custom order.
If you choose a custom order please remember to measure carefully or come by for a fitting as custom orders can not be returned or exchanged.
Choose your color below and then choose your size.
WHITE Choose Now
TAN Choose Now
BROWN Choose Now
BLACK Choose Now
If you would like another color, print or woven pattern please make your selection from our color chart. If you do choose from the color chart the shirt will be a custom order so choose your size carefully as there is no return or exchange on custom orders. It is best to fill out the measurement chart completely or come by for a fitting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR COLOR CHART
Choose your size below but be sure you have chosen your color first.
Size 6 LA137 $39.95 Buy Now
Size 8 LA137 $39.95 Buy Now
Size 10 LA137 $39.95 Buy Now
Size 12 LA137 $44.95 Buy Now
Size 14 LA137 $44.95 Buy Now
Size 16 LA137 $44.95 Buy Now
The prices listed above are for Pointed Bodices that are completely
machine sewn.
Prices for Pointed Bodices that are completely hand sewn start at $89.95 for size 10 or smaller.
Larger sizes are of course a little more.
TEA BODICE
The Tea Bodice has been one of our most popular bodice styles for years. It is very unique in style and elegance. The corsage/body of this bodice is generally made from a solid color that goes well with the skirt that it is intended to worn with. The outer layer of this bodice is then made of the same material as the skirt. The design gives the illusion that the wearer has a shirt and jacket but it is actually made as one piece, this reduces the layers of cloth and makes this garment very light and a good choice for warmer weather.
WE CAN MAKE THIS BODICE IN WINTER WEIGHT MATERIAL IF YOU DESIRE.
The Tea Bodice comes with Demi Pagoda style sleeves as seen in the photo above, yes you will need under sleeves. (SEE UNDER SLEEVES ON PAGE ? ). We usually make this bodice with the Martha Washington (square) style neck line , also known as a pompadour neck line.
This style neck line can be worn with a variety of chemisete that will make this bodice even more versatile.
Can be appropriately worn in the evening without a chemisete.
We can use any other style neckline you prefer but it will make the garment a custom order.
SEE OUR CHEMISETES BELOW.
It buttons up the front with buttons exposed.
The buttons are covered with the same cloth as the body of the garment unless you request otherwise.
The bottom of this bodice is slightly pointed.
We will be happy to make this bodice for you in any color or pattern material you like but it is only available "off the rack" as a skirt and bodice set. Anything else will be considered a custom order.
It is best to call or e mail your color choices in on this garment. Consult the
color chart and give us a call.
Once you have chosen your colors and filled out your measurement chart, please call us for a price quote.
ADDITIONAL HAND SEWING is $25.00 per hour.
CHEMISETTES
The chemisette is another of those wonderful little garments that will interchange through out so much of your wardrobe. Change the Chemisete, under sleeves, add a new hat. Voila! A new outfit!
They are literally "one size fits most" as you can see from the photos.
In general, the Chemisettes we keep in stock are white. We have 2 styles that we prefer and offer below, however, we can copy one from any period fashion plate you desire.
Below we have photos of 3 original drawings from Godey's Lady's Books & Petterson's Magazine.
Put your curser on each photo to see the month and year published.
If you look to the fashion magazines from the late 1850's through 1864 you will see variation after variation of this Chemisette, you will also see it referred to as a "Collar" and you will no doubt also see shirts / bodices referred to as Chemisette. Don't be too upset though, remember, the men and women who created these magazines had only 2 goals in mind, (read on, my capitalistic nature is about to shine through) #1. Fill the pages with something to catch the eye and hold the attention of the reader. #2 Sell magazines.
Now if you have ever been involved in a periodical publication of any sort you know just how hard that can be.
Re-inventing last seasons garment is still today the stock and trade of the fashion industry, so as I stated above; lets not be too hard on them. Just don't treat each "name" as if it has been chiseled in stone.
First let me appologize for the dark photo's of the chemisettes on the left and right, it was the only way we could get the the "tucks" to show at all.
The placket style front with covered buttons really works. There are several row of "tucks" on each side of the placket that give the Chemisette a very elegant look.
As you can see we have two styles of collars for our Chemisette, the regular style collar in the photo left and the short stand up collar in the photo right. Choose which collar you would like below.
REGULAR COLLAR
SHORT STAND UP COLLAR
We offer our Chemisettes "off the rack" in WHITE only
If you would like another color, print or woven pattern please make your selection from our color chart. If you do choose from the color chart the chemisette will be a custom order so choose your size carefully as there is no return or exchange on custom orders. It is best to fill out the measurement chart completely or come by for a fitting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR COLOR CHART
Choose your size below but be sure you have chosen your color first. If no color is chosen we will automatically send you a white chemisette.
Small Chemisette fits those who wear a bodice, size 6 to 10, neck is 13 inches Item #LA138 $34.95 Buy Now
Medium Chemisette fits those who wear a bodice size 12 to 16, neck is 14 inches Item #LA138 $34.95 Buy Now
Large Chemisette fits those who wear a bodice size 18 to 22, neck is 15 inches Item #LA138 $34.95 Buy Now
Of course we will be happy to make any size you need, just call for details.
SHIRT PADS
Shirt pads are very similar to shoulder pads. Cotton, much like quilt wadding, is placed into
small, shaped bags and sewn together. The shape of the pad is formed so it will fit easily inside your bodice. Unlike the shoulder pads of a coat or jacket, these are lightly sewn on the inside of the bodice where they can be removed with little effort.
What do they do?
These pads are often placed just beneath your arm but slightly forward, near your breast.
This makes your upper body look fuller, hence, your waist looks smaller.
Click here for a little period Information Regarding Padding in general during the 1860's.
SHIRT PADS Item # LA139 $19.95 Sold by the pair only, choose your size below.
Petite, Size 6 through 10 Buy Now
Medium Size 12 through 16 Buy Now
Full Size 18 through 22 Buy Now
Click here for WORK/CAMP DRESSES on page 3
Return to SKIRTS on Page 1
Return to LADIES FASHIONS home page
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