Child's Civil War Style Cream 100% Cotton Guimpe Blouse Size 2-4 Small 22-23"

Description

Girl's
Cream Colored
Guimpe Body or Blouse,
S
ize Small Size 2-4 (22-23" bust/chest, 20-21" waist)
Civil War Style Loose Fitting Pure White Sheer 100% Cotton.
Please note, the fabric is very sheer and requires appropriate undergarments. A guimpe is a high-necked blouse or undergarment which is meant to be worn showing beneath a low-necked dress or top.
The  white fabric has alternating vertical rows plain weave sheer  bright white solid and open weave lattice. Soft and cool for summer wear.
It has a narrow rolled collar with button closure. It is easy to accessorize with collars, ribbons, ties and jewelry. It has huge, puffy sleeves finished with narrow cuffs with button closure.  The buttons are antique sew-through shell buttons. An extra button is sewn to the bottom of one of the seams.
All of the seams are flat felled to give a nice, strong seam.
The size medium (2-3)  guimpe, extra-full cut blouse measures 13" at the neckline, 7" at the cuffs, it is straight cut across the chest and waist and measures 38" around.  It is 19 1/2" long from back neck closure to hem. The sleeves are 16 1/2" long from neck edge to the cuff bottom and are 16" around.
The easy, fit blouse is made of  cool sheer 100% cotton. The raglan style sleeve it easy to wear under variety of tops. The fullness of the blouse can be laid into lovely pleats when worn under a lower cut bodice or waist and with fancy bretelles (or suspenders.)  The puffy, full sleeves make an attractive display in the place of undersleeves or sleeve
jockeys
.  Mothers loved then because it was much easier to wash a blouse than to launder a dress. The blouse serves a a great wardrobe extender.
These bodies (or as we know them today, blouses) appeared in all the fashion magazines of the Era. They were worn under all types of garments, from open necked dresses to Swiss bodies, tea bodices, vests. Medici belts and zonal waists. The guimpe is peasant style with diagonal raglan style armscye. The garment basically fits  only at the neck and wrists with full puffy sleeves and a keyhole opening with button closure at the back neck. The use of lots of fabric in the guimp would be a sign of status. It is not made to be worn alone with a skirt, that was simply not done by "women of quality." Fashion forward younger women and girls were beginning to wear skirts and guimps  (and
Garibaldi
blouses) with decorative Medici belts and waists alone.
Easy care:  I suggest  machine wash cool and hang dry. The buttons can be broken in the dryer.
I am happy to combine shipping on multiple items. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks for looking and Happy eBaying!