All posts filed under: 20th Century

Rate the Dress: Deco stripes in 1923

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week your reactions to the 1860s girl’s pink & white striped party frock were quite divided.  Most of you said something along the lines of “cutest dress ever!” or “I would have felt like a princess in it”.  Some of you, however, had horrible experiences with being forced to wear frilly dresses as a kid, and you didn’t like it for that reason.  Those in favour of pretty princess dresses pulled it in at a 8.4 out of 10. This week, lets leave any chance of saccharine behind and look at a dress inspired by my time at Art Deco Weekend.  This frock from the Met incorporates clever angles and curves and pleats and stripes, all while maintaining a sleek silhouette – very Art Deco. When I polled you about your least favourite fashion eras the 1920s won (lost?) by a landslide.  So this dress is a real risk.  Will it fall foul of your dislike of the 20s?  Or will you like the simple, comfortable, easy-wear, restrained but colourful, Art Deco inspired shift …

Styles for girls of all ages, 1911

Published by The Dreamstress

This is another title that just tickles me pink.  I do wonder if The Girl’s Own Paper was using it in the modern sense (as in ‘the child in all of us’ etc.) or that they meant ‘girls from 8-18’ or (worst of all) ‘anyone unmarried’.  Whatever the case, I’d certainly wear some of these styles! First some blouses for older girls: The blouse patterns are all (according to the magazine) based on the same basic shirt pattern, and can be made in any fabric, though hand-embroidery is most effective on linen. Then some littler girl’s clothes: And finally, a well fitted coat for someone of indeterminate girlishness:  

Sensible frocks for daily wear, 1911

Published by The Dreamstress

The title of this section of the Girl’s Own Paper charms me so much. Why don’t fashion magazines today show you sensible garments for daily wear?!?  I wonder if women who looked at these actually thought they were sensible?  Or did they look almost as ridiculous as fashion photoshoots ideas of sensible work wear look today? Is this next one a chesterfield?  Could be! I do love that they show clothes for the new career girl: