Spring has sprung down here in New Zealand – or at least the freesias and tulips in my garden think so! Â So here are some fashions for Spring 1909 from an antique album in our Costume library at Toi Whakaari:
If you could have one of these Pritemps 1909 ensembles in your wardrobe, which would you choose?
Or, if you could have one as a Scroop Pattern, which would it be?
oooh, i would choose the second to last ensemble, with the tasseled tunic effect…
although i do not love the S bend corset posture that was so fashionable at this period, i do think the styles in general were quite lovely, ranging from tailored suits and dusters to soft, flowy, elegance like above. i like the later edwardian clothing as it evolves into my favourite era of the teens. so much beauty in clothing and housewares at this time!
My favorites are the first one and the seventh. In fact as soon as I saw it, I started mentally planning how I could recreate the suit with a more modern look – more mid-leg length and a somewhat simplified back, I like many of the elegant features of historical clothing, but still want to feel comfortable wearing them in public.
As a Scroop pattern, I’d want #2. There are all kinds of things happening in that bodice and sleeve situation; Scroop-level instructions would be a matter of skill development in themselves. Plus, I think the sleeves are prettiest.
I’d like the second and the last one, though it is hard to choose!
The third one too… 🙂
The lovely blue ensemble, third one down.
My, those are pretty. Personally, I like the third (purple-y) and the 7th (blue) for their cuts and adaptability. # 7, for instance, could use fancier or plainer guimpes as opposed to full lined or unlined shortwaists or silk waists, and the white sleeve ends could be engageants that are tacked in. Both crepe and worsted wool would make up really well, with plenty of drape, and could be tailored or delicately fluffy, especially if a stole or shawl were worn with it, as in one of the other designs.
Life has been too busy here for me to make much of anything for ages, even though I’ve an Edwardian project all planned, so probably I shouldn’t vote 🙂
Very best,
Natalie in fall-ish Kentucky
I like the first one, the blue suit with the light blue parasol. It feels the most versatile and I would wear a version with less decoration on the back for everyday wear.