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).
We also make work dresses for you!
Summer Sheer Gown adorned with flowers
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
Lavender and Green Victorian Civil War Ball Gown
Our Silk gown fashioned after an original in our personal collection!
A lovely fit through mail order!
Yes we make lovely gowns for young ladies!
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!
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
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
These three style gown is a very versatile gown for any occasion. Note the unique period fabric - a beautiful soft look!
Lovely Gray and Black Taffeta Gown purchased in February
Comfortable, Correct and Camping - she had a great time!
Dressing the Nanny
She did a great job with her young charge who is missing from his buggy at this time...!
Reclaiming Our Heritage Weekend, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Terry accented her historical reprint gown with a lovely pink fabric belt that enhances the pink tones in her fabric. An excellent choice!
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.
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
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.
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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