cotton empire waist dress 19th Century Empire Dress in Printed or Striped Cotton – Townsends
SKU: 72140121227
cotton empire waist dress

cotton empire waist dress 19th Century Empire Dress in Printed or Striped Cotton – Townsends

Sale price$26.35 Regular price$29.28
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Size: 4

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Description

cotton empire waist dress 19th Century Empire Dress in Printed or Striped Cotton – TownsendsClothing styles took a dramatic twist at the turn of the 19th century. The Empire dress was a prime example of this French fashion invasion, based on that societys fascination with the ancient cultures of Greece. As the Empire style made its first foray into British societies, fabrics were very wispy and somewhat transparent, revealing the female form that had previously been revered with utmost modesty. Prudish reactions were strong. As a result,

Clothing styles took a dramatic twist at the turn of the 19th century. The Empire dress was a prime example of this French fashion invasion, based on that society’s fascination with the ancient cultures of Greece. As the Empire style made its first foray into British societies, fabrics were very wispy and somewhat transparent, revealing the female form that had previously been revered with utmost modesty. Prudish reactions were strong. As a result, this very short-lived fashion period went through even shorter phases delineated by fabric choices and undergarments (or most often, the lack thereof).

This dress is based on examples from around 1810. Its squared, slightly gathered neckline and short gathered sleeves are true to the period. The high under-the-bust waist is classic Empire. Both the neckline and waist are tied in back. The bodice is closed in back with bone buttons.

Because undergarment styles were extremely diverse during the Empire period, we have settled the issue for this dress by fully lining the bodice. The skirt is lined to about 36" from the underbust, which emulates the knee-length chemises occasionally worn during the period. The subtle back train gives the skirt a graceful, sweeping hemline.

Please visit our fabric swatch page to choose a pattern, then enter your choice in the field above. Prints for this style of dress were typically small and light. When ordering, give measurements for bust, beneath-bust, bicep, and length from under-bust to floor hem - please put these measurements in the comment field of your online order.


This Item made to order.
Please allow 4-8 weeks for garment to be made. Made in USA

Item # FD-189

 

Fabric Swatch Page:

https://townsendfabrics.com/category/canvas/

 

Measurement Guide:

http://measuringadvice.com/

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SKU: 72140121227

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J
Jacobson
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Adorable and Well‑Made Outfit for Special Events
Color: Light Blue, Size: 10, Color: Light Blue, Size: 10
Got this suit set for my son and absolutely love it. It comes with everything he needs to look sharp, and I really appreciate that it includes both a tie and a bow tie so we can switch up the style depending on the occasion. The quality is impressive for the price — the fabric feels light and comfortable, and the whole outfit has a polished look without being stiff or uncomfortable. The fit was spot on, and the adjustable waistband is a huge help for getting it just right. My son looked great in it, and it’s definitely something he can wear for more than one event. The little details on the jacket and pants give it a classic, dressed‑up feel that works for weddings, holidays, or any special moment. Overall, it’s a stylish, practical set that makes getting him ready so much easier. Really happy with this purchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026
C
Crystal
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
Boys linen fabric suit
Color: Light Green, Size: 16
Boys suit set in a lighter green color. This suit is made with good proportions and seems to fit well. The sizing seems slightly big so maybe size down one size. The fabric does wrinkle easily so be aware that sitting and folding the suit may cause wrinkling. Otherwise it is a very nice suit for a formal occasion. It comes in many good colors.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
A
Atherney Family Farm
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice elegant suit for any occasion.
Color: Light Blue, Size: 12, Color: Light Blue, Size: 12
The suit set is very nice, the fabric material is durable and soft. Overall stitching is tight with nice surging of the hems and great construction on the shoulders. Buttons and button wholes are well done. I'm going to iron in the creases on the front of the pants because they weren't folded properly for shipping. The material does hold on to wrinkles so don't be afraid of your iron to get a super sharp look. The color is a soft baby blue that stands out in a crowd of black suits. With the option of an elastic tie or clip on bowtie this is everything you need to make him look presentable for a variety of occasions. My only complaint about this suit kit is the dress shirt is stiff and thin. I found some loose threads that I don't trust to not get played with. I'll probably trade it out for something with a little more cotton. As far as cost goes mid range, but definitely worth the cost. I might consider something with a vest if it's a super formal event, but I'm very happy with how this suit comes together.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
M
Martin V.
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Modern luxury with summer fabric that performs above its price!
Color: Beige, Size: 14, Color: Beige, Size: 14
Wow! My son wore it for Easter Sunday and this suit fits the bill! The linen material is spot on--not too heavy and not too light especially since the weather is warming up now. The jacket is quality made--the design is modern executive, the stitches are strong no flaws to note. The pants are tad bit longer but that's okay, build quality is also great. The white shirt is decent and matches well with the rest of the set. The bow tie and tie itself is a great complimentary to the set, though optional to wear. The whole set just has that quality you would really look for in the price range you would want to pay. Overall, best value for for the, wear right outside the bag, maybe a light ironing otherwise it's perfect! I highly recommend it, no complaints here very happy with this suit!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2026
A
Ariel B.
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 4
Heavy linen character, but a beautifully tailored suit!
Color: Beige, Size: 4, Color: Beige, Size: 4
This is a really nice linen suit! The jacket is beautifully made and well-tailored, with a fun speckled texture that has lots of pretty color variation (we ordered the beige). When I placed it side by side with a similar linen suit from another brand, the difference in the linen texture was really noticeable — this had a much stronger linen character that stands out! It has three useful pockets on the outside of the jacket, which is great for little hands. The only downside is that one of the inside pockets is just for show (faux), which was a bit surprising and somewhat disappointing for my little guy. The pants have pockets too, but they aren’t very deep — perfect for small treasures, but not much more. The pants are made from a lighter, thinner single-layer linen compared to the fully lined, double-layer jacket, which makes sense for comfort and easy movement. The pants didn’t come with a front crease ironed in, so you’ll want to press one yourself. The linen did pick up some creases from being folded in the package, but it doesn’t seem quite as wrinkly as some other linen fabrics I’ve tried. Still, like most linen clothes, especially for boys, the pants will need occasional ironing to keep them looking neat and crisp, especially after a day of play and general wear. The structured, lined jacket stays looking smoother and more put-together with less effort. It also came with a bow tie, a neck tie, and a tuxedo-style white shirt as extras. The ties aren’t great quality — they’d work fine for quick photos but probably won’t hold up to much actual wear. The formal white shirt feels a bit funny paired with the casual linen suit, but I don’t mind at all. We already have white shirts that we prefer, so we’ll use those instead. For us, the extras are really just bonus items we won’t plan on using. Overall, it’s a handsome little suit that’s perfect for special occasions like weddings, family photos, or holiday events. My kid looked adorable in it! The stronger linen texture on the jacket gives it a premium feel that I really like. Just be ready for a bit of extra care with the pants to keep everything sharp.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2026

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