Many Fabrics & Historical Designs to Select From!
The eye for detail and correct fit is always important when recreating a period look. That is why museums, theaters, film production companies and reenactors choose our gowns & accessories.
For the serious reenactor, we invite you to contact us with your project and we are happy to personally visit with you for a custom gown, bonnet and complete accessories.
Many examples of our ready made gowns can be found at www.CivilWarLady.com
Our custom gowns may be found on the photo pages here or at our FaceBook page: CivilWarLady Joy Melcher.
For a video of the movement of this gown, we invite you to scroll down.
For the serious reenactor, we invite you to contact us with your project and we are happy to personally visit with you for a custom gown, bonnet and complete accessories.
Many examples of our ready made gowns can be found at www.CivilWarLady.com
Our custom gowns may be found on the photo pages here or at our FaceBook page: CivilWarLady Joy Melcher.
For a video of the movement of this gown, we invite you to scroll down.
Our Bonnets!
Wearing the correct bonnet for your face size and shape will enhance your beauty. We carry a lovely selection of bonnets, many appropriate for full or second stages of mourning.
Each Bonnet is hand-trimmed. You may request Antique & Vintage Trims or lovely silk trims. Inquire at joymelcher@hotmail.com or click HERE for more information.
Wearing the correct bonnet for your face size and shape will enhance your beauty. We carry a lovely selection of bonnets, many appropriate for full or second stages of mourning.
Each Bonnet is hand-trimmed. You may request Antique & Vintage Trims or lovely silk trims. Inquire at joymelcher@hotmail.com or click HERE for more information.
Enjoy Our Videos Below
A Lovely Summer Day Gown from our 'Off the Rack" Collection!
Stop in to shop or email us for a ready made 1860's gown, we normally stock 300 at all times! Candace Glantz recently visited our busy shop wearing one of our summer gauze gowns.
The Work Dress
We use a variety of sources to document our gowns including Original Gowns, Photographs, Illustrations, diary excerpts etc.
This historical print, shows two working women wearing skirt supporters, with their sleeves rolled up reading. The woman on the left has her skirt folded up and is wearing collar. The other is wearing an apron but no collar. Both have their hair neatly dressed.
This is a good example of how tidy and neatly many working women and homemakers dressed. Women took pride in even their work appearance and tried not to dress in a slovenly manner. I staged this photograph to mimic this illustration back in 1999 - 14 years ago and it is still timeless! To see a great work impression executed by Jackie Greer, view our video below!
This historical print, shows two working women wearing skirt supporters, with their sleeves rolled up reading. The woman on the left has her skirt folded up and is wearing collar. The other is wearing an apron but no collar. Both have their hair neatly dressed.
This is a good example of how tidy and neatly many working women and homemakers dressed. Women took pride in even their work appearance and tried not to dress in a slovenly manner. I staged this photograph to mimic this illustration back in 1999 - 14 years ago and it is still timeless! To see a great work impression executed by Jackie Greer, view our video below!
We love making Civil War Ball gowns for our customers!
Contact us today for fabrics, colors and styles to suit your needs!
Ball Gowns Sizes 4 to 24 ~ Prices begin at $425
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Elegant Period Gown That May Be Worn Three Different Ways
Day time fashion: In your choice in Silk or Taffeta ~ trimmed bell sleeves, fitted bodice chemisette neckline
Fitted bodice. Very full pleated skirt to be worn over a hoop. Velvet trimming to your desired taste!
Excellent for formal daytime reenacting activities; Attending a Victorian Tea, "Calling", Church, etc.
A "Finer" day dress that would be worn out and about in society. This gown is shown being worn THREE different ways!
ALL SIX PHOTOS BELOW ARE OF THE SAME PHENOMENAL GOWN
Long Sleeved Taffeta Gown, trimmed in black velvet. Includes your a white underblouse.
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Elegant Period Gown That May Be Worn Three Different Ways
Day time fashion: In your choice in Silk or Taffeta ~ trimmed bell sleeves, fitted bodice chemisette neckline
Fitted bodice. Very full pleated skirt to be worn over a hoop. Velvet trimming to your desired taste!
Excellent for formal daytime reenacting activities; Attending a Victorian Tea, "Calling", Church, etc.
A "Finer" day dress that would be worn out and about in society. This gown is shown being worn THREE different ways!
ALL SIX PHOTOS BELOW ARE OF THE SAME PHENOMENAL GOWN
Long Sleeved Taffeta Gown, trimmed in black velvet. Includes your a white underblouse.
Simply remove the bell sleeves (easy to do!) and the gown is now a completely different look!
Excellent as a formal Daytime or Informal Early Evening Gown
Includes your a white underblouse.
Now that the full bell sleeves have removed, this is ideal for warm weather wear, formal indoor events,
or early evening formal events. Gowns such as these were made in taffetas and silks, not cottons and we offer a variety of colors and prints for you to choose from!
Excellent as a formal Daytime or Informal Early Evening Gown
Includes your a white underblouse.
Now that the full bell sleeves have removed, this is ideal for warm weather wear, formal indoor events,
or early evening formal events. Gowns such as these were made in taffetas and silks, not cottons and we offer a variety of colors and prints for you to choose from!
And now the very same dress worn for formal evening. With the blouse removed, your gown is now ready to be worn to form evening functions. Simple and elegant, accessorize and wear your evening headpiece from us to attend that theater, dinner or dance function. One gown with many different looks expands your wardrobe and cuts down on luggage when traveling to events!
HOW TO ORDER!
Taffeta Colors:
In Jewel tone iridescent: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - Wine
Sizing: Fill out our size chart
Order early for your event as our production schedule fills up quickly
joymelcher@hotmail.com
Taffeta Colors:
In Jewel tone iridescent: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - Wine
Sizing: Fill out our size chart
Order early for your event as our production schedule fills up quickly
joymelcher@hotmail.com
Taffeta "Three-in-one" Gown Sizes 6-8-10-12
$
560.00
Velvet trim ~ Includes White Blouse
Made to measurements you submit
Removable sleeves. Includes standard ground shipping to U.S. only
sizes 6-8-10-12 (See our Measurement Chart)
Include color choice: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - Wine/red
Include your measurements & select size closest to your bust measurement
Bust 28" - size 6
Bust 30" - size 8
Bust 32" - size 10
Bust 34" - size 12
All Sales Final, no refunds on custom gowns
Made to measurements you submit
Removable sleeves. Includes standard ground shipping to U.S. only
sizes 6-8-10-12 (See our Measurement Chart)
Include color choice: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - Wine/red
Include your measurements & select size closest to your bust measurement
Bust 28" - size 6
Bust 30" - size 8
Bust 32" - size 10
Bust 34" - size 12
All Sales Final, no refunds on custom gowns
Taffeta "Three-in-one" Gown Sizes 14-16-18
$
585.00
Velvet trim ~ Includes White Blouse Made to measurements you submit
Removable sleeves, Includes standard ground shipping to U.S. only
Sizes 14-16-18 (See our Measurement Chart)
Include color choice: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - Wine/red
Include your measurements & select size closest to your bust measurement
Bust 38" - size 16
Bust 40" - size 18
Bust 42" - size 20
All Sales Final, no refunds on custom gowns
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Removable sleeves, Includes standard ground shipping to U.S. only
Sizes 14-16-18 (See our Measurement Chart)
Include color choice: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - Wine/red
Include your measurements & select size closest to your bust measurement
Bust 38" - size 16
Bust 40" - size 18
Bust 42" - size 20
All Sales Final, no refunds on custom gowns
_
Taffeta Three-in-One Gown. Special sizing 22-24
$
610.00
Velvet trim ~ Includes White Blouse Made to measurements you submit
Removable sleeves, Includes standard ground shipping to U.S. only
Sizes 22 - 24
Include color choice: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - wine/red
Include your measurements & select size closest to your bust measurement
Bust 44" -size 22
Bust 46" -size 24
All Sales Final, no refunds on custom gowns
Removable sleeves, Includes standard ground shipping to U.S. only
Sizes 22 - 24
Include color choice: Bronze - Emerald Green - Sapphire Blue - Royal Purple - wine/red
Include your measurements & select size closest to your bust measurement
Bust 44" -size 22
Bust 46" -size 24
All Sales Final, no refunds on custom gowns
Corset Sizing Chart - A well made corset with a comfortable fit. Prompt Delivery too!
We offer corsets in half sizes as well. Please submit your current measurements and we will supply the corset that best suits your body measurements. Custom corsets - no extra charge. Our white corsets are made with Twill, Brocade, Drill, or Coutil. Unlike our competition, we have no hidden add on prices escalating the prices up! What you see is what you get.
Customer Testimonies:
"You get what you pay for, a good fitting quality corset!"
"A great fit and is comfortable to move in, thanks Civil War Lady!"
"Fast service and a lovely corset. It was comfortable all weekend.
Quality isn't expensive - it's Priceless! Need to order? Contact us at joymelcher@hotmail.com today!
Customer Testimonies:
"You get what you pay for, a good fitting quality corset!"
"A great fit and is comfortable to move in, thanks Civil War Lady!"
"Fast service and a lovely corset. It was comfortable all weekend.
Quality isn't expensive - it's Priceless! Need to order? Contact us at joymelcher@hotmail.com today!
Quality Corsets: You get what you pay for!
Queen Victoria's Secret! Our Famous
"Oooh La-La!" corsets or White
Either are Quality!
If you've been seeking a comfortable yet beautiful corsets, our selection is great! Comfortable and Lovely you can say say you purchased a "Queen Victoria's Secret!"
Need to order? Contact us at
joymelcher@hotmail.com today!
Our lovely warm knitted wear. Fashioned from 1860's originals, made to keep you warm!
A great addition to your wardrobe is the knitted sontag. Using 19th century directions, we are proud to offer this period garment for your reenacting needs - but it is so comfortable, you may not want to take it off! Perfect for early morning when the dew is still on the ground or dusk when the sun goes down and you are chilly. Easier to wear than a shawl and lets your arms move freely about. We offer this garment in neutral tones of : Black, Greay, Cocoa Brown, Forest Green, Sky Blue
Our Patriotic Version of Sontag & Knitted hood!
We began offering this lovely Patriotic style in early 2010 and want to encourage you to become part of the
150th Commemoration of the War Between The States!
Offered in
Confederate Red with Blue & white trimming as shown or Patriotic Blue with red & white trimming.
No Doubt we will be emulated by others, but want you to share in the original design exclusively by Joy Melcher
150th Commemoration of the War Between The States!
Offered in
Confederate Red with Blue & white trimming as shown or Patriotic Blue with red & white trimming.
No Doubt we will be emulated by others, but want you to share in the original design exclusively by Joy Melcher
Unique Garnet Earrings & Pendant A pair of original Victorian Earrings and a lovely pendant with matching Almandine Garnets will turn heads as you proudly wear these lovely pieces! The back of the pendant has a receiver for hair or a small photograph. A
Serious inquiries only; joy@civilwarlady.com
$
750.00
Victorian Mourning Jewelry Suite
Lovely Black Onyx 'Circle of Life' broach set with two pearls. Pearls were used to symbolize tears during the the mid-1800's and femininely set on goldtone mounting. Victorian drop earrings swing gently from the black orbs and are substantial in size. This broach has a gold mounted clasp replaced by a master jeweler making it secure with a locking mechanism.
Serious inquiries only; joy@civilwarlady.com
Serious inquiries only; joy@civilwarlady.com
$
850.00