CivilWarLady.net by Joy Melcher
  • Welcome
  • Remembrance Day Ball
  • 2022 Tea
  • Jewelry
  • Jane Austen Purses
  • Contact Us

We provide clothing & accessories for museums, theaters, reenactors and television production!
Whether off the rack or custom made, we can serve you with prompt service!
At reenactments around the country, our staff is happy to personally fit you, or email us your measurements and we will custom sew a gown for you!
Contact us now to Schedule Your New Gown for
Your Upcoming Event! 
joymelcher@hotmail.com   712-310-9383

          (click here for event schedule).

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

We also make work dresses for you!

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Summer Sheer Gown adorned with flowers

Picture
Miss Candace in her New Sheer Gown from Civil War Lady
We stock many light weight summer sheer gowns made from Pima cotton, Gauze,  Egyptian Cotton and English Lawn in a variety of sizes for her to choose from.



Light as air. this gown offer sleeves made to catch the breeze and sheer to the touch.  Modestly lined in the bodice,  our gowns are made with distinction. Come and see our selection.

Shopping on a rainy day is a way to beat the blues! Civil War Ball Gown

Picture
Jaycee Dougherty from Springfield MO, wows the crowd in her period correct woven silk taffeta.  This lovely gown in taffeta has two bodices; a ballgown bodice and a daytime bodice that easily attach on and off for easy travel to and from events.  The photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of the fabric or this lovely lady! Stop in to try on a real CivilWarLady gown!


     

Lavender and Green Victorian Civil War Ball Gown

Picture
A lovely silk/taffeta blend plaid made into a ball gown for those with discriminating taste! Accented with a floral bouquet at the bosom and one of our intaglio cameo necklaces reproduced from an American museum.  this gown is available in many sizes and in many different colors.  Let us know what your taste commands and we will find the right color and print for you!

Our Silk gown fashioned after an original in our personal collection!

Picture
This lovely silk gown was made for a production at Ford's Theater in Washington DC in 2006  using an original in our collection to draft our own pattern!  This is an unusual vertical pleated bodice that we reproduce for customers on occasion. Trimmed to the precise request of Ford's Theater, this lovely lightweight silk gown has much detailing.

A lovely fit through mail order!

Picture
Glenda Jardel often selects her dress fabric and fashions through Civil War Lady through email with our studio.  This lovely dinner gown has a matching pellerine that fits snugly over her shoulders for daytime wear.  Her long sleeves remove for ballroom attire.  This gown gives three complete wears for the reenacting season.

Yes we make lovely gowns for young ladies!

Picture

Our children's gowns have rows of growth tucks to let length out as your daughter grows. We include inches in the side seams to let out as they mature - your gown will last you many seasons. These gowns have long sleeves that can be attached to their gowns for cool weather. My two lovely nieces are standing in front of their grandpa's wagon on that is on display in their community. Please meet my young nieces,  little Hanna and sweet Rebecca who enjoy reenacting and dressing for school programs!


Picture
A cashmere wool coat trimmed in black velvet and gold bullion, three fox collar, blue silk bonnet and her astounding peacock feather muff that was inspired by Princess Mathilda's very own in the 1850's, is our dear friend and our popular model.  "When the weather is not cooperating, simply be prepared to dress warmly!" states Miss Kenny. 

Each garment is specifically designed at our customer's desires, or we are happy to design a historically accurate reproduction from our many selections.  If you desire exceptional historically accurately made gowns, please stop in to visit our custom made department. 

               

Canada, New York, Ohio

These lovely patrons shopped at our tent at a history show in New York.  Trudy Watson  from Canada wears a lovely pastel yellow gown with embroidered flowers. Next, our new York customer purchased this sheer gown from us in order to stay cool in the summer. Penny Dallas from Ohio wears a flattering periwinkle blue which flatters her eyes.



Silk Day Gowns at Olustee, Florida

Picture
Sandi and Joy enjoyed visiting with all our friends at the Battle of Olustee Florida in February! Thank you for stopping in and shopping us!  We met some wonderful people and were able to visit with old friends.

Sandi in her jeweltone blue silk and Joy in her silk made from Ralph Lauren Silk with a pure lace fischu.



A Lovely Day Gown to Dinner Gown

Picture
Wear this gown with sheer undersleeves and chemisette during the day and remove those items for dinnertime of late afternoon.
 These three style gown is a very versatile gown for any occasion.  Note the unique period fabric - a beautiful soft look!

Picture

Lovely Gray and Black Taffeta Gown purchased in February

Picture
Darlene Stokes chose a formal taffeta gown is to wear to tea.  The gown is trimmed in black velvet and worn with a matching pellerine and removable sleeves.  For evening, the sleeves and pelerine remove for evening.

Comfortable, Correct and Camping - she had a great time!

Picture
This cheerful customer came into our store and needed a work outfit for the next day.  Off with the blue jeans and on with the Corded Petticoat, work dress and apron.  Here she is out doing her marketing on a crisp Saturday morning shopping for carrots and onions for that evenings' meal. Although we couldn't talk her into a slat bonnet to finish off her wardrobe, she did purchases a plain white day cap to keep her hair tidy.

Dressing the Nanny

Picture
Here is Miss Devin from Virginia, who portrayed a nanny at the Battle of New Market, VA.  We even equipped her with a baby carriage and maid's outfit for the weekend.  In a prim cotton gown, day cap and apron, Devin made a hit with the crowd and won over our hearts!

She did a great job with her young charge who is missing from his buggy at this time...!

Reclaiming Our Heritage Weekend, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Picture
A very well run History Timeline Event attended by friends in the springtime that we encourage you to attend!  I was fortunate enough to meet with dear friend Terry for a lovely afternoon of high tea, parade watching and a wonderful visit.  Reenacting creates warm friendships.

Terry accented her historical reprint gown with a lovely pink  fabric belt that enhances the pink tones in her fabric. An excellent choice!

Picture



Another lovely silk gown...

Here is a lovely earth tone shot silk gown selected from an 1860's period Godey's Ladies Magazine print. After emailing a photograph of the original fashionplate and her measurements, we were able to reproduce the gown in a matter of weeks and safely ship to one of our favorite customers.  We were delighted to receive this photograph of her dressed out!



Kathy is always one of the best dressed women you will find in Florida.  Here she is in her lovely 'Tea to Dinner Gown" covered with a pure lace fischu in the "Marie Stuart" style of the 1860's.  This is a versatile gown, lovely to wear.  This color is a changeable taffeta with a vivid striped design. A show stopping gown for a show stopping lady! 


Dressing Cindy for the Ball!

Here is Cindy's first ball gown made of a Japanese roller print silk and adorned with imported black lace.  Having a fun time getting ready for the ball this summer, Cindy selected this lovely gown right off our rack at a reenactment and was able to go to the ball that evening. 


What's a Veterinarian to Wear?

When a customer came in the sutlery in her jeans and tennis shoes - she needed to be dressed from head to toe.  She is the staff equine veterinarian for the Civil War reenactment and needed a functional garment to wear while caring for the horses.  No problem as we have over 200 gowns in stock and all the accessories needed to outfit her completely.  Within the half hour we fitted her in a work gown, apron and a warm knitted Sontag. Hair neatly netted and a work corded petticoat, she was off and running to care for the horses. 


Picture

Miss Devon Dawson and Queen Victoria

We count among our many Cowboy and SASS friends Miss Devon Dawson.  known as "Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl's" singing voice from Disney's "Toy Story II" and the soon to be released "Toy Story III" in June, 2010!    Miss Devon has garnered top nominations nationally as “Female Performer of the Year” and “ Songwriter of the year” by The Western Music Association and The Academy of Western Artists.  Here Miss Devon shops with Queen Victoria before she performs at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Her impromptu yodeling lesson certainly made the Queen laugh!


Theater Production of "Quilters"

Our draping department will produce gowns from your measurements in a very fast turn around time.  We have a large selection of fabrics in stock and can assist you in all your needs. 


Costumes for Musical at Ford's Theater, Washington DC

Our costumes have been worn by a number of musicals, operas and theater productions. 


Opening Chorus, Musical Margaret Garner by Toni Morrison

Costumes for the Opening Chorus of Margaret Garner at the New York City Opera, New York.  It was a fabulous opera, we loved doing the costumes!


Margaret Garner, New York City Opera

We costume for many theatrical performances from Broadway to Las Vegas! We offer draping with a fast turn around time. Photo courtesy PlayBill, New York


Lincoln Center, Dessa Rose Production

A highly acclaimed production we were proud to be a part of.  We produced dozens of costumes including all female leading gowns.  Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center, NY


Picture

Hair accessories

A genteel hair style with our easy to install hair wreath copied directly from Godey's Lady's Book of the 1860's.  We have a wide variety of these correct pieces always in stock! These are outstanding one-of-a- kind pieces that will take your breath away. Stop in to visit us and we will help you coordinate the perfect evening or day head piece with your gowns.  If you desire, we will custom make your headpiece to match your gown.  


We Produce Outstanding Costumes for all Productions!

A theater Production with a talented cast deserves great costumes! We are able to drape and create many style of garments from The New York City Opera to the local High School Musical production. A quick moment for a back stage photo with two cast members. We created everything from Glinda's sparkly headpiece to Dorothy's farm shoes from Kansas!


Corsets in all colors and sizes

Need a ready made corset? Contact us and we will be able to assist you promptly.  You may choose a corset in a lovely pastel, bold color, period print or in white coutil, we have it in stock for you.  

                         

                  


Copyright © 2002-2010 CivilWarLady.com. All Rights Reserved.
T
hese materials, including all articles, text, photographs, images, logos and design, are
Copyright 2002 Civil War Lady Dry Goods and CivilWarLady.com.  All Rights Reserved.
None of these materials may be copied and distributed for any purposes without consent of CivilWarLady.com. Contact joy@CivilWarLady.com