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| The crew – Abby, Chrissy, me, and Caroline at the Nevada Statehood Ball, 2019 – photo by Chase Stevens. |
A few posts ago I shared how I refit my 1860s Aubergine evening gown, bringing it back to life for hopefully many more years of wear.
Now it’s time to share some photos from the event! A group of us invaded the Nevada Statehood Ball at Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City, NV, and had an absolutely splendid time whirling about, laughing, eating cake, and feeling pretty all night long.
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| Gathered outside Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City, NV – photo by Chase Stevens. |
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| Abby and Susan looking amazing at Piper’s – photo by Chase Stevens. |
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| Abby and Chrissy swirling across the dance floor at Piper’s Opera House – this one made the Las Vegas Review-Journal – photo by Chase Stevens. |
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| Chillin’ in the lobby on a tiny chair – photo by Chase Stevens. |
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| ABBY – resplendent in her first mid-Victorian gown. Photo by Chase Stevens. |
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| Getting in a little Victorian rotary waltz where we could – me, Abby, Chrissy, Susan – photo by Chase Stevens |
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| Everyone looked great! Left to right – Abby, Chrissy, Liza, Caroline, me. |
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| Lacing train! Caroline, Abby, and Chrissy getting dressed in the visitor’s center. |
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| It was *cold* that night – the first very cold night of the season, so we raided Nicole’s closet for appropriate mid-Victorian cover-ups. I borrowed Nicole’s gorgeous black wool and velveteen paletot and wrapped on a vintage fur collar for extra cuddles. Now I want a paletot very badly, despite hardly ever doing mid-Vic stuff. |
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| The (re)finished 1860s ballgown. I’m much happier with the fit of the bodice, particularly on the shoulders, and the silhouette of the skirt is much improved as well. This is one of my favorite costumes I’ve ever made. I feel like an elegant queen when I wear this! |
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| I accessorized the ballgown with opera gloves, Dames a la Mode jewels, and a very quick “head doily” I threw together the night before, made from a bit of lace, ribbons, silk flowers, and scraps of purple silk salvaged from the bertha. |
Huge and special thank you to Chase Stevens, who has generously shared his photographs with us.
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6 Comments
frenchcreavintage
November 17, 2019 at 10:41 AMThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous
November 18, 2019 at 6:14 PMY'all look spectacular, and the gowns are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Lauren Stowell
November 19, 2019 at 7:29 PMthank you!
Unknown
November 20, 2019 at 4:33 PMYou look terrific and like you're having a great time!
Goatberry
February 2, 2020 at 12:27 PMStunning, everyone! But that aubergine gown…. Drool!
Rene J Baatenburg
February 16, 2024 at 3:23 PMTHAT is a gorgeous dress! To make the overall look even more period accurate, find yourself a pair of wrist length gloves. Long, elegant, above the elbow gloves were not worn in the 1860’s. Fashion dictated a look that showed a woman with some plumpness about her. Wrist length gloves took care of that.
Super great job on the dress! It was worth all the work put into it.
(I did Civil War reenacting for 22 years. I’ve always worked to get an accurate look)