Early 20th Century / Edwardian Fashions
1900–1910
The early twentieth century is one of my favorite time periods! I belong to the local chapter of The Ladies' Tea Guild, and also volunteer at events in my area, like the annual Friends of Historic Forest Grove Garden Tour. In 2006 I wore the light blue linen day dress, circa 1910, while my cousin Kelly wore separates in summer fabrics. (See us together at right.)
In 2005, Kelly and my daughter Suzannah and I wore lingerie dresses while we served as garden "hostesses." In the image below (from left to right), I am wearing a tucked and trimmed replica of a dress from around 1907-08. Suzannah, in the middle, is wearing a simple style from 1910. It was inspired by an antique dress in my collection (shown in inset) that was originally worn by a younger girl. I copied the tucking details, neckline and skirt style but made it longer, suiting her age. Kelly, on the right, is wearing an afternoon dress from around 1903, trimmed with diamond-shaped inserts of lace. All of us are wearing flowered hats of the era made by Lavender's Green Historic Clothing.
We
had a lot of fun at the garden tour this year! When you are wearing authentic
pieces that fit well and are meticulously copied from the time period,
then you can interpret the era faithfully. In the three images above, Kelly
is dressed for 1910 "from
the skin out," so that her posture, the drape of her skirts, and
even her movements capture the look of a "Gibson Girl," bringing
that long-ago time to life for the garden visitors.
Shown at right is another views of Suzannah in the 1910 lingerie dress and oversized Edwardian hat. The Settlemier House, built in 1892, is a beautiful setting for authentic period dresses.
1910s Evening Gowns & Dinner Dresses
Layered Dinner Dress (drawing below left), Soft black nylon netting or sheer black silk georgette, with black lace, over jewel-toned china silk … $280 and up. With beadwork (optional, for additional charge) at neck edge … $380.
Kimono Sleeve Evening Gown (center drawing): Soft white silk georgette layered over dyed or white china silk … $280 and up. (Additional georgette layers, beading or lace can be added at additional charge.)
Dinner
Dress with Bretelles and Skirt Drapery (drawing right), Tucked
bretelles at shoulders over soft lace sleeves, while layers of silk
georgette form graceful draped skirt… $320.
Here are some lovely friends of ours in several variations
on the 1912 Gowns. Anne (middle back) wears the Dinner Dress with bretelles
in peach silk georgette. Austin and Lezlie (left and middle front) are
wearing the Kimono Sleeve Dress in dark green and rose silks, with sleeve
and trim variations. Rachel (right) is wearing a 1910 Day Dress from my
printed catalog.
There
were so many beautiful evening gowns shown during this time period! The
McCall's magazine cover illustration (at right) is just one of many
inspirations for our authentic reproduction designs.
1920s Fashionable Day Dresses
In the image below, Suzannah is wearing a frock of cream wool crepe trimmed with silk and lace. It was made from an antique pattern, circa 1926. With it she wears a periwinkle felt cloche from Lavender's Green. Kelly's light tan wool crepe frock is adapted from a dress in the 1928 Sears catalog. Her rosewood felt hat is trimmed with a mahogany velvet band and antique floral spray.
