What started out as an antique doll mystery on EBay turned into a new friendship  and antique doll clothing project with  Mary Todd Lincoln presenter  and author Donna McCreary.  Used as an authority by the Abrahan Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Il., Donna was inspired by pieces owned by the museum and the Smithsonian to write Fashionable First Lady: The Victorian Wardrobe of Mary Lincoln which offers insight into the personality of Mary Lincoln through her exquisite wardrobe.  A dream of Donna's has been to have select wardrobe pieces to display on her speaking tours and later donate to the Lincoln Museum.  This extensive project  to replicate a number of outfits of Mary Lincoln's wardrobe in authentic Civil War era style is now becoming a reality!  (LINK to Donna McCreary's web site on Recommended Links page) NOTE: Click on picture for actural size. ** Dolls are reproduction Mary Todd Lincoln (kit) sold by Yield House in 1970's.
Double Flounce with Mantle Mary Lincoln with her boys	Double Skirt & Mantle            1860           Snapping a photo of the new first lady and her two young boys, Mary wore a silk skirt with two deep flounces.  The original fabric, as in this one is in a geometric patterns with a row of small diamonds.  The original gown had small and large diamond shapes in a horizontal line.  Underneath Mary wears pantaloons, an double layered eyelet petticoat with bustle eyelet and hoop.  Her antique white blouse has antique lace at the cuffs and bodice front.  The dress is fitted with the geometric design meeting in the front in a V shaped pattern.  The mantle is lined in black cotton and accented with matching silk insets, black cording  and draw strings with tassels.  Her bonnet is trimmed with lace, flowers and greenery.	1860 Victorian Wardrobe First public photo as new First Lady 1860
Black Velvet 1861           This dress depicts authentic period fashion of 1861.  It features a high bodice with a front closure with open bell-shaped pagoda sleeves lined with white fabric and  trimmed with ruching.  The entire gown is lined with a sheer black cotton.  The collar is white lace, fastened with a pearl broach.  To accessorize the outfit, there is a handkerchief, fan, matching earrings and head dress.  The fabric is authentic 1800's black cotton velvet.	Black Velvet 1861 Features high bodice, front closure, pagoda sleeves.	Fashionable First Lady by Donna McCreary Page 56 author's collection
Green & White Plaid Wrapper & Cape Circa 1864-1865 Day wrapper, hip length cape, collar & belt	Basic Wrapper w/belt Circular cut skirt, belt & patch pockets, trimmed with black braid. Green & White Plaid Wrapper                         Circa 1864-1865           This green and white wrapper was for day wear.  Wrappers were worn at home or when a woman was doing manual labor.  Extra ease in style allowed the wearer to move around freely. Mary Lincoln would have worn this while in the garden or visiting the troops.  Its looser waist style makes it easier to wear in and out of a carriage.  It does not require the tight lacing of some styles, so it is easy to wear when working.  At the hospitals, Mary was working - serving meals, writing letters, and delivering gifts.   She would also have worn a wrapper during a morning stroll through the conservatory - or the gardens in general.  This style was also worn for strolling along the beach (which Mary did when visiting New Jersey) - and maybe even dashing out the White House door to talk to soldiers.  (commentary by  Donna McCreary) Photos courtesy of the Chicago Historical Museum.
Wrapper and Cape Cape and skirt has no seams, large circular cut.	Wrapper w/Cape Cape seamless circle.	1860 Winter Bonnet Typical headware for casual wrapper attire.