Clothing. Black silk-satin fabric, mid-calf length dress, gathered from the waistline. A black, pleated cummerbund encircles the waist, fastening at the left side with three metal hooks, and hand stitched loops. Long set in sleeveshave a fine piping around the arm holes, and have a hand stitched neatening to finish. Shoulder seams are also piped. A long, narrow collar of lace, bound in 2.5 cm satin edging, attaches almost to the waistline-finishing just 9 cm above the waist. A 'bib front' attached at the right side to the bodice lining, attached to the eaistline, and closing on the left hand shoulder side, with metal hooks, and hand stitched loops. Bodice closes over the top with a metal press-stud. Front bodice has three tiny pleats on each shoulder seam and gathers into the waistline seam. Fine georgette fabric, backed with fine net fabric, is with tiny glass beads, and forms the top of the 'bib front'. Fine beading of tiny beads outlines the high round neck. Larger glass beads and silky lace trim the lower 'bib front'. The lg sleeves are gathered lightly at the shoulder, which isoutlined with fine piping. Cut as a straight piece of fabric, a rectangular 'wing effect' at the wrist, is lightly gathered into a 13 cm deep lace cuff, fastening with two metal hooks, and hand-stitched eyes. Sleeves are lined with fine fabric.costume, female, black silk satin dress

Clothing. Navy blue silk dress with V neckline faced in soft pink silk, which is overlaid with navy rouleau, giving a ''lattice'' effect, and then the neckline has been bound with navy fabric. The lower edge and side is decorated with three, four-petalled flowers, backed with navy fabric, with navy covered buttons in each centre, and navy tipped, pink rouleau 'stems'. Three X 2 cm diameter navy covered buttons are spaced on either side of neckline. Six X 1cm wide loose pressed(not stitched) pleats and two 2 cm pleats form a panel from neckline to waist of bodice. This pleating continues from the waistline, and is stitched horizontally for 31 cm below the waistline, before falling in a pressed form to the hemline. Back of skirt is plain, with top stitched centre back seam, which opens into a (X2) 5.5 cm wide inverted pleat at centre back. Long sleeves are also pleated-stitched down horizontally, for 17 cms, then pressed(not stitched) to the cuff. The cuff has an 8 cm deep peak, tapering to 4.5 cm deep at the opening-which fastens with two metal press-studs. Sleeve fullness is gathered into the cuff.costume, female, navy blue dress

Clothing. Woman's grey, cream and black dress, with fine all-over swirling fern leaf design fabric.Eleven gores in skirt, home stitched dress. Long sleeves with a turn-back cuff 5cm wide at the peak, tapering to 2.5 cm wide at the 4 cm long opening, which fastens with one metal press-stud. The cuff is trimmed with decorative rouleau loops and coils, giving a flower petal effect. This effect is repeated on the peaks of the revere collar. A rouleau looped bow trims the centre front neckline. A shaped, peaked band on the front bodice extends from the side seams to give the effect of a belt at the back. This is stitched in place and trimmed with three rouleau coils-centre coil 2 cm in diameter, flanked by two coils 1-2 cm in diameter. Skirt has three stitched down pleats, ranging in length from 7 cm to 8.5 cm long,on either side of front skirt.costume, female, woman's grey.cream and black dress

Clothing. High round neckline at back, with peaked turn-back revers at front. Long sleeves, gathered into 3 cm cuff, which fastens with two metal press-studs. Bodice has front opening with three x 2 cm diameter white plastic buttons - peaked in the centre and with an impressed ridged texture. Bodice has two bands of shirring at the front shoulder line giving a ruched effect 6.75 cm wide. Six gored skirt. A band 6.5 cm wide at centre front reducing to 3 cm wide at side seams, forms a midriff panel, before becoming a belt at the back fastening with two metal press-studs. Back bodice is lightly gathered on either side at waistline. A home stitched dress.costume, female, woman's navy dress

Clothing. High round neck at back, with peaked revers at front. Press-stud closure at centre front, with three grey plastic buttons sewn to outside.(two missing). Button is impressed with a circular pattern. Short sleeves. A 4 cm wide panel increasing to 5 cm at centre front is set into front waistline, and extends into a belt at the back-3.25 cm wide and fastening with a metal press-stud. Six gored skirt. Almost certainly home stitched, as several dresses in the collection are of similar style. An oval shaped patch, 16 cm X 8.5 cm has been hand stitched immediately below the centre front waistline. A home stitched dress.costume, female, floral print dress

Clothing. All over floral cotton dress, in a ''shirt-maker'' style. Short sleeves, high round neck at back, and pointed revers at front. Inserted band at front waistline, with a pointed overlap, shaped to 3.5 cm wide stitched down around front. Front opening bodice has a four press-stud closure, and two 1.75 cm white plastic buttons, sewn over the closure. Buttons impressed with a ridged pattern. Two darts on either side of lower edge of bodice, one dart from shoulder on either side of bodice. Six gores in skirt. Probably home stitched. Band inserted at waistline, extends to a 3 cm wide ''belt'' at back, fastening with two press-studs. A home stitched dress.costume, female, short sleeved floral dress

Clothing. Pink background, blue, green, and burgandy floral short sleeved rayon dress. Padded shoulders, high back neckline, V shaped at front. Front yoke, with a scalloped tab, marked with a 1.75 cm white plastic button, with a flower impression. Two white buttons mark the centre front opening. Skirt has six panels. Front bodice gathers to the yoke. Short sleeves have 3.75 cm turn back cuffs. A home stitched dress.ALL RAYON GRAFTON REGD, Anti Shrink, GRAFAINE Styled by Rosecroft REGD.costume, female, short sleeved dress

Clothing. Navy blue textured fabric possibly crimplene. Long tapered sleeves fastened with three covered buttons and loops at the wrist. High back neckline shaped to a V shape at the front. Centre front opening fastens with sixteen covered buttons and loops. Front yoke has a rouleau trim of fleur-de-lyse, and circular coils from 1 cm to 1.5 cm diameter. Side front panels are shirred at the yoke seam, and gathered at the shaped waistline panel. Waistline has a diamond shaped panel- 2.5 cm wide at the side seams, and eleven cms wide at the centre. Where the buttons extend over the midriff panel, the panel is shaped in a 7 cm V shape. Midriff panel extends into a belt at the side seams, fastening at the centre with a press-stud, and decorated with a flower of seven rouleau coils-1 cm in diameter. Hand stitched hem.costume, female, long sleeved navy dress

Clothing. Blue linen dress, with a black and white floral design, possibly home stitched. V neckline at front, high rounded neckline at back. Curved yoke at front bodice. Centre opening, fastened with press-studs. Three decorative buttons are sewn diagonally, side by side on the outside of the opening (X2). Side fronts are gathered to the yoke, and have two darts on either side front, at the waistline. Short set in sleeves. Six panels form the A-line skirt. Some hand stitching on facings and hems. A home stitched dress. Two decorative, curved decorative panels, 5 cm wide and 22 cm long, straddle the waistline at front and back.costume, female, blue linen floral dress

Clothing. Woman's navy check wool coat with rounded lapels. Single breasted coat fastened with four X 2.7 cm navy plastic buttons decorative comb pattern. Internal pockets at hip level with vertical slit openings. Long straight sleeves. Coat is fully lined with satin fabric. A shaped coat widens to hem. Padded shoulders.costume, female, woman's navy check wool coat

Clothing. Woman's navy striped wool crepe coat. V neckline with fabric panels to waist with appliqué piping free form pattern. Coat fastened at waist with four X 1.5 cm fabric covered buttons and fabric loops. Long straight sleeves with fold back cuffs (4 cm). A-shaped coat widens to hem. Padded shoulders.costume, female, woman 's navy striped wool crepe coat.

Clothing. Woman's black light weight wool crepe coat. Sweetheart neckline with appliquéd piping flowers on either side. Front opening fastened at waist with four X 1.5 cm fabric covered buttons and fabric loops. Long straight sleeves with appliqué piping flowers at wrist. A-shaped coat widens to hem. Unlined. Padded shoulders.costume, female, woman's black light weight coat

Clothing. Woman's black single breasted wool jacket with pointed lapels. Front fastened with three X 2 cm black plastic buttons. Internal pockets at hips with slit openings. Long straight sleeves with three X 1.4 cm black plastic buttons at wrist. Fully lined with black satin. Six X 2 cm weights distributed around hemline. Padded shoulders.Tag inside back neck, ''tissu nouveau TAILOR MADE''costume, female, woman's black single breasted jacket

Clothing. Women's straight black wool crepe skirt. Fold over waist band lined with stiffened fabric (4cm). Centre back opening. Lining at waist fastened with two metal hooks and eyes. Back opening (19cm) fastened with five press-studs. Inverted pleats (28cm) on RHS front and LHS back above the hem. Skirt is unlined. Two hanging loops.costume, female, women's straight black wool skirt

Clothing. Cream coloured silk parasol with 40 cm wooden handle with 4 cm diameter gold coloured metal knob at the end. Parasol has silk fabric with ribbed border stretched over eight ribs. Silk twisted cord wound around stick above the handle. Two ends of the cord have 14 cm tassels with 5cm twisted cord with 9 cm velour strands.Paper sticker on ferrule of umbrella, ''G Buongiovana Napoli''costume accessories, female, cream coloured silk parasol

Clothing. Women's black embossed silk bodice. Part of two piece set (skirt 11410.2). Stand up lace collar (7 cm) boned on either side and edged with cream coloured lace. Collar fastened at centre back with three metal hooks and eyes. Front opening left of centre fastened with eight metal hooks and cotton loops and three across the left shoulder. Crossover section at front is pin tucked below the neckline and is tapered into the waist with centre pleats. Both sides of the crossover have decorative beading along the edges. The inner layer of the bodice is fastened at centre front with 15 metal hooks and eyes - alternating directions. The bodice is shaped from the waist with 9 boned casings. The back is shaped in at the waist finishing with two U shaped tails (11cm X 8cm) with V shaped tails (4 cm X 6cm) on either side. The waistline and tails are finished with a double row of decorative black beading. At the waistline at centre back are three metal hooks to attach bodice to skirt. Long sleeves are gathered at the shoulder, shaped at the elbow tapering to the wrist. Below the wrist is a two piece cuff (13cm X 7cm) with decorative black beading. The bodice is fully lined with light brown cotton fabric with grey splash pattern. Historical Notes: This bodice and skirt belonged to Elizabeth Graydon (nee Richardson). Photograph of Elizabeth wearing this outfit (11410.3).costume, female, women's black silk bodice

Clothing. Women's black lace and satin layered skirt. Straight calf length skirt with outer layer of embroidered fine net and an inner layer of black satin. Embroidered layer has pattern of scattered flowers with lower 30 cm of dense embroidered flowers. At centre front is a vertical strip of embroidered flowers (5 cm wide). Hemline has a zig zag pattern. Foldover satin waist band (1.5 cm) with two X .8 cm satin loops attached at front and back. Side seam below waistband has 24 cm opening but there is no opening in the waist band.costume, female, women's black lace and satin skirt

Clothing. Women's black satin skirt - unfinished. Calf length with raw edges at waist and hem. side opening with five metal hooks and cotton loops.costume, female, women's black satin skirt

Clothing. Women's yellow full length linen skirt. A-shaped from waist with lower section (36 cm) made up of three horizontal sections,1/ Vertical tab shaped pieces with pin tucks, 2/ Horizontal strip with pin tucks, 3/ Horizontal strip with pin tucks and frill along top edge. Darts around waistline with 1.3 cm waistband with drawstring on RHS only. Centre back opening (26 cm) fastened with two metal press-studs.costume, female, women's yellow full length skirt

Clothing. Women's white full length skirt of cotton fabric with scattered square spots. A-shaped skirt of three horizontal sections with three rows of decorative stitching below each horizontal seam. Shirred elastic waistband (4.5 cm).costume, female, women's white full length skirt

Clothing. Women's straight full length white cotton petticoat. Fold over waistband (4.5 cm) with cotton tape drawstring fastening at centre back above 7 cm opening. Decorative geometric pattern stitching above hemline.Tag at centre front waistband, ''Cherry lane by French Connections'', ''100% cotton'' ''Hand wash''.costume, female, women's straight full length petticoat

Clothing. Women's black silk calf length skirt. Skirt has silk lining with a layer of silk fabric stitched to cover lower section of lining (52 cm). An outer layer of silk fabric falls from the waist to overlap the underlayer. The top layer has an irregular curved hem line.The inside waistband of ribbed cotton fabric (7cm) has six boned casings. The centre back opening (28 cm) overlaps at the waistband and is fastened with metal hooks and eyes and press-studs. The silk lining opening is fastened with four metal press-studs. The outer layer of silk fabric is fastened with five metal hooks and cotton loops.costume, female, women's black silk calf length skirt

Clothing. Women's cream coloured cotton vest with fold over collar at front edged with gold coloured cord. Deep V neckline at front. Centre front opening is fastened with six X 1 cm white buttons with gold pattern, and six button holes. On each side of the front opening are three fleur de lys patterns of appliquéd cord in brown, gold and cream. The lower edge of the front sections are edged with gold coloured cord. Back section of light brown cotton fabric. Front is lined with light brown cotton fabric. Satin ribbed ties (40 cm X 4 cm) attached on inside side seams at waist level. Vent (20cm) in centre back from hem.costume, female, women's cream coloured cotton vest

Clothing. Women's cream coloured double thickness silk scarf. Fabric has embossed pattern of diagonal leaf shapes. At each end on one side only are hand painted pictures;. 1. A Chinese girl kneeling below a tree and holding a sword in her right hand. 2. Tree branch with two butterflies and a rectangular Chinese symbol. Both ends have 5 cm fringeing.costume accessories, female, cream coloured silk scarf

Clothing. Black embossed satin fabric collars with peaked ends. Ends and outer edges are decorated with clusters of black beads. The front ends have black beaded bows with beaded tassels.costume accessories, female, black embossed satin fabric collars

Clothing. Cream cotton net, woven with a goemetric pattern of filligree diamonds and tiny squares. The garment is fully lined with the most delicate, and sheer cream silk. A peplum ettect 7 cms deep, is finished with 9.5 cm deep peak at the centre front. Two metal hooks, and stitched eyes are the only fasteners, and are located at the waistline on the peplum seam. The curved front bodice is edged with a 3.5 cm deep frill of cream net, which is finished at the outer edge with two rows of stitching in a heavier weight thread. The front bodices are gathered at the centre front to the peplum. The long sleeves are finished at the wrist, with a double frill of plain tulle, also edged with a double row of stitching, in a heavier thread.costume, female, silk and net blouse

Clothing. Very fine cream net, embroidered around outer edges, in a semi-abstract, floral design - 4 cm deep, and finished at the top with a small 3 mm diameter ''spot''. Overall the embroidered design is 5 cm deep. A second layer, ruched at the centre back neckline, folds down over the lower layer, giving a double embroidered effect. The top layer is embroidered in a '' flowing floral design '' design at the top edge. The shawl is shaped to a peak at the centre front.costume, female, cream shoulder shawl

Clothing. Square crocheted lace collar, in a floral design. Medallions, 2.3 cms square - 116 medallions. Each medallion has a flower at the centre, with a row of three dimensional ''petals''. A finely crocheted piece, with a semi-circular edging at the square neckline, and around the outer edge. 9 cms deep, one side has an opening but no fasteners are evident. May have been worn with opening front or back.costume accessories, female, square lace collar.

Clothing. Large collar of linen Bobbin lace. High round neckline, with two 16 cm deep peaks at the front. A floral design of five petalled flowers. (in groups of three) surrounded by scroll effects. Scalloped edges of the lace surround the outer edge.costume accessories, female, linen lace collar.

Clothing. Very large, deep, linen lace collar.- Brussells Bobbin lace. Six large ''tear-drop'' shapes - 8cm long, enclose a delicate floral design. Thirteen daisy like flowers are spaced around the outer edge, along with leaves and smaller flowers. The long neck - edge is edged with a leaf - like design lace. This collar may have been worn over an evening gown with a deep back neckline.costume accessories, female, large lace collar