Early 20th Century 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 dress while we served as garden "hostesses." Below, on the left, I am wearing a tucked and trimmed replica of a dress from around 1907-08. Suzannah is wearing a simple style from 1910. It was inspired by an antique dress in my collection, originally worn by a younger girl. I copied the tucking details, neckline and skirt style but made it longer, suiting her age. Kelly 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.

Here is the antique dress.

We had a lot of fun at the garden tour this year! When you are wearing authentic pieces that fit well and are copied faithfully from the time period, then you can interpret the era faithfully. 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.

Here are some other 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.

1910's ~Evening Gowns & Dinner Dresses

Layered Dinner Dress (left), Soft black nylon netting or sheer black silk georgette, with black lace, over jewel-toned china silk… $280 and up.  Shown with beadwork (optional, for additional charge) at neck edge… $380

Kimono Sleeve Evening Gown (middle), Soft white silk georgette layered over dyed or white china silk… $280 and up.  (Additional georgette layers, beading or lace can be added for extra charge.) 

Dinner Dress with Bretelles and Skirt Drapery (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 magazine cover illustration to the right is just one of many inspirations for our authentic reproduction designs.

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.