Christie Stratos
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christiestratos.bsky.social
Christie Stratos
@christiestratos.bsky.social
830 followers 150 following 470 posts
Victorian fantasy and suspense author.
19th century researcher with a passion for Northeastern U.S. history 1840s-1890s.
Coffee and chocolate nonstop.
https://christiestratos.com
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christiestratos.bsky.social
Christie Stratos @christiestratos.bsky.social · Nov 16
It’s time for an introduction, what with so many lovely people joining Bluesky recently!

I’m Christie Stratos, author of historical suspense and historical fantasy.

*My works take place between 1840s and 1880s in the US.

*I collect all things Victorian era.

*Coffee and chocolate are food groups.
Photo of a white woman with brown eyes, and open-mouthed smile, and medium-length brown hair that is puffed on her head and curled over her shoulders. She is wearing a white Victorian-style shirt with lace trim at the neck. A gold and pearl brooch is pinned on her shirt at the center of her collarbones. She wears cameo earrings. Behind her is a bookshelf loaded with disorganized books.
christiestratos.bsky.social
Two-piece black linsey-woolsey dress. Bodice likely bloomer top, 1840s. —Augusta Auctions

Sold today for $600 as a rare piece.

Does anyone know if this is rare because of the material?

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
Typical 1840s skirt that is wide but not nearly as wide as they would be in the 1860s. The dress is black and plain, the other real decoration being gathers on either side of the chest.
December 10, 2025 at 11:05 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
1867 silk satin ball gown w/tulle that was replaced around 1980 for preservation. Fitted bodice, draped overskirt.

"Its soft, heavenly color palette and luxurious textures embody the romantic elegance and meticulous craftsmanship of the era."

—Unveiling Vintage Fashion; The Fashion

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
Gown with a more square neckline and center-front white buttons, culminating in a teal flower at the waist that matches the gown. Around the waist, around the neckline, and down the sides and bottom of the overskirt are stripes of white and teal. The overskirt opens in the front to reveal the white tulle and a shining teal hem. The gown is short-sleeved, with lace at the end of each sleeve.
December 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
1898 two-piece cream wave-patterned silk satin over printed with small dots. Black silk organza and jet passementerie trim.

1890 two-piece ecru silk gown with patterned silk crepe organza overlay and woven silver bead trim.

—Augusta Auctions

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Late 1860s white cotton mull dress with Madeira embroidered insert at neck and fitted cuffs.

Center-back mother of pearl buttons.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
The dress from the front. It has the typical 1860s silhouette with a more cinched waist and very full skirt. Embroidered insert at neck with a number of pretty and delicate designs. At the very top of the neck is a small flower with half circles in either direction. Down from that come three separate fine and more transparent lace with a floral design. Around and between those are more floral designs, and below and on either side of all of that are loop designs.
November 23, 2025 at 3:21 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Left: 2-piece nutmeg wool & silk blend dinner dress.
Fronded silk tulle overlay to bodice embroidered w/copper metallic iridescent beading & black beaded fringe.
Black Chantilly lace.

Right: 2-piece cocoa-brown silk faille w/ruched sienna silk satin ribbon trim.

—Augusta Auctions

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
Left: 2-piece nutmeg wool & silk blend dinner dress. Fronded silk tulle overlay to bodice, embroidered w/copper metallic iridescent beading & black beaded fringe. Black Chantilly lace Right: 2-piece cocoa-brown silk faille w/ruched sienna silk satin ribbon trim Chemical lace to cuffs Detached original band collar
November 22, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Christie Stratos
noethematt.bsky.social
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FUCKING REWRITE WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN!"
October 28, 2025 at 10:46 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
1880s two-piece pumpkin silk velvet plush with bombazine bodice and back skirt panel. Cast metal center-front button closures.

1880s two-piece maroon silk velvet plush with smocked purple silk satin center-front panel over glass and metal button closures.

—Augusta Auctions

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
October 15, 2025 at 10:58 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Late 1880s three-piece cinnamon silk faille dress

Dinner bodice w/iridescent beaded & corded passementerie applique

Day bodice w/ciselé velvet reveres & flared cuffs, cream silk center-front plastron, scalloped silk satin ribbon ruffle to hem

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
October 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
1856 two-piece cocoa-brown silk taffeta day dress

Dusty-rose silk braid terminating in hand-knotted fringe as applied collar, bell sleeves, and peplum

Center-front two-tone cloth-covered button closures

Trained skirt, cartridge-pleated center-back

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
October 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Happy October!

Fashions from the October 1847 issue of Graham’s Magazine.

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
A page from Graham’s Magazine with color illustrations. One lady sits and wears a white off-the-shoulder dress with a pretty pink flower and green leaf design that runs shoulder to shoulder as well as down either side of the front of the skirt. The motif is also reflect in her hair. One lady stands in a long-sleeved light pink dress with one pink bow at the center front and a few draped with the top skirt down either side of the front. She wears a white bonnet with a teal feather and teal ribbon tied in a bow under her chin.
October 1, 2025 at 10:56 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
June 1870 Godey's Lady's Book

Left: Walking suit. Underskirt of lilac grenadine, trimmed w/fringe & satin; the upper skirt of black silk, trimmed to correspond. Short sacque, w/revers of satin, w/coat sleeves & hanging sleeves over them. Lilac crape bonnet, trimmed w/lilac flowers.

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
September 30, 2025 at 1:05 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Bronze-green silk satin day dress.

Yoke ruffle and below-the-elbow ruffle over shaped sleeves. Silk box-pleated ribbon trim around cuff.

Center-front hook & eye closure.

Fitted inset waistband with cartridge pleating at center back.

Possibly Quaker.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
September 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
One of my squirrel friends had babies! Here's one of them. Look how little she is!

@gallifreygamgee.bsky.social, here's the most adventurous one!
September 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Christie Stratos
voodoovintage.bsky.social
#FashionHistory
"The fashions during this time allowed the textiles to stand out because of the vast surface areas of the skirt and a relatively minimal amount of excess trim."
September 6, 2025 at 2:04 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Left: 1870s two-piece day dress. Tan, black & white striped cotton. Bone buttons. Gored skirt. Gathers at center back.

Right: 1904 two-piece afternoon dress. White pina fiber w/embroidered black dots. White lace & black velvet ribbon trim. Center back waist bow.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
September 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
Autumn is coming! 🍂

1888 three-piece silk taffeta & velvet ensemble.

Bodice with velvet faux vest front.

Passementerie to reverse & cuff.

Dyed MOP buttons with silver inlay.

Matching velvet frock coat-style overjacket.

Skirt with pleated silk velvet godets.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
Beautiful ensemble with a lovely large ribbon to tie the overjacket closed at the top. The color and material of the overjacket is reflected in the godets and the center-front material under the mother of pearl buttons. In this photo, the bodice and skirt are together, separate from the overjacket. We can see the puff at the top of the long sleeve, adding interest to the bodice.
August 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
1860s black wool twill resist-block-printed paisley maternity wrapper.

Silk velvet-covered center-front button closures.

Free-falling collar in a V shape at center back.

Attached half belt, back peplum.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
August 19, 2025 at 11:48 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
PAISLEY STRIPED COTTON AT-HOME DRESS, 1860s

Paisley stripe printed cotton at-home dress.

Calico and glass center-front button closures.

Entirely handsewn!

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
This paisley-striped dress has the colors of rust, a lighter but still bright yet deep (not neon) orange, and beige.
August 1, 2025 at 1:19 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
SHOT & STRIPED SILK TAFFETA AFTERNOON DRESS, 1863-1865

Three-piece burgundy and white shot striped silk taffeta.

Fitted bodice w/yoke and pagoda sleeves trimmed w/triple row of fawn silk velvet ribbon and cream silk passementerie w/incorporated beaded drop fringe.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️🪡 🗃️
July 31, 2025 at 12:28 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
WOW! Now that's a jewelry suite!

Exceptionally rare set of 19th century star jewels by Collingwood & Son in its original wooden box [The Jewelry Lady's Store]

#19thc 🗃️ #jewelrysky
The jewelry suite consists of a necklace with large star-like diamond pieces of jewelry that can dangle from the necklace if the wearer would like. There's also a tiara, eating, and a brooch, all in the same star-like design.
July 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
PINK SILK SATIN AFTERNOON OR DINNER DRESS, c. 1880

Two-piece two-tone pink silk satin gown with metallic shanked center front button closures.

Knitted metallic gauze cuff overlay.

Elaborate ruching and pleating to skirt.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
The darker pink skirt has pleating down the center front that is uninterrupted, while to either side of it is ruching at the lower thigh area.
July 15, 2025 at 11:28 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
PRINTED COTTON DAY DRESS, LATE 1850s

Resist dyed and printed cotton calico day dress with tortoise shell center front button closure.

Cartridge pleated waist.

Hand sewn!

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
The dress is striped in two blues, one darker but not deep, still soft, and the other a lighter gray-blue. Up close, the darker blue has some very faint white slightly elongated dot-like stitches, and the lighter gray-blue has a more static-like elongated white stitching. On the stripes is a wavy pattern that adds a bit of interest. The wave is reddish pink on the darker color and white on the lighter one.
July 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
TEXTURED SILK & LACE DINNER DRESS, EARLY 1890s

Two-piece pink and green textured silk dinner dress.

Bodice with forest-green tucked silk satin stock collar, yoke & center front panel overlaid w/chemical lace.

Skirt w/applied bias satin bands & velvet hem facing.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
Two-piece pink and green textured silk dinner dress. The bodice is the pink textured material on the back and sides, with forest-green tucked silk satin stock collar, yoke & center front panel overlaid with off-white chemical lace. The skirt has three slim gracefully draped forest-green applied-bias satin bands. A closeup of the incredible chemical lace, which has the look of chain links leading down to snowflakes.
July 12, 2025 at 11:53 PM
christiestratos.bsky.social
MOURNING DRESS, EARLY 1880s

Black silk taffeta with black Maltese lace cuff and overskirt edging.

Faceted jet center front buttons closures.

Asymmetrical draped satin skirt with bustle back.

[Augusta Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
Beautiful black mourning dress with high collar. The material has a dull shine to it on the bodice, and more of a shine from hip to knee as well as on the sleeve cuffs. The faceted jet buttons down the center draw the eye. The lace cuffs at the end of the shiny material look complex.
July 12, 2025 at 1:33 AM
christiestratos.bsky.social
PLAID WOOL WRAPPER, 1860s

Blue & cream plaid wool wrapper, with applied black silk taffeta bands to center front, cuffs, patch pockets & hem.

Patterned silk-covered center-front buttons with velvet.

[August Auctions]

#19thc 🗃️ 🗃️🪡
This wool wrapper is in a bell shape, very comfortable-looking. The blue and cream plaid is wide, not a small plaid. The applied black silk taffeta bands down either side of the center-front buttons and perpendicular a couple of inches from the bottom, around the wrists, and across the tops of the pockets have a dull shine.
July 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM