Child's Civil War Style White 100% Cotton Guimpe Blouse Size Large (10-12)

Description

Girl's
White Guimpe Body or Blouse,
S
ize Large Size 10-12 (28-30" bust/chest, 24-26" 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 fabric is a woven stripe design of alternating r
ows of a narrow net like vertical lines, plain sheer fabric and vertical double rows of scallops.
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
iridescent
white
triangular
shaped buttons with incised double lines along the edges.
All of the seams are flat felled to give a nice, strong seam.
The size large (10-12)  guimpe, extra-full cut blouse measures 15" at the neckline, 6" at the cuffs, it is straight cut across the chest and waist and measures 38".  It is 23" long from back neck closure to hem. The sleeves are 22" long from neck edge to the cuff bottom and are 21" 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 bretteles (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 shell 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!