Fashion Accessories and Materials in the early 1900's

Image: French Garden House

I borrowed a fabulous book from the library called, Fashion since 1900: The complete source book by John Peacock.  It gave me a greater insight into the fashion, particularly looking at wedding and evening dresses, accessories and fabrics around from the 1900's.

1910 - 1914 Garments and accessories in this era favoured silk (chiffon, satin, crepe, taffeta, organdie), peacock and ostrich feathers, pin-tucks, machine made lace, dolman sleeves, cotton, bows, linen, velvet, wool, self-covered buttons, crystal beads and wax flowers (above image), silk gauze veils, broderie anglaise trim, jet beads.

1915 - 1929 Materials used were similar to the above with the introduction of drop waists, lace caps, beaded head-dresses, waist corsages, narrow beaded straps, godets, felt cloche, beaded chiffon with piped velvet, handkerchief hemline, plastic beads, tubular dresses, glass beads, drop earrings, machine embroidered silk.

Designer: Norman Hartnell, 1933 - Photo: V&A

1930 - 1940 The skirt suit with knife pleats, becomes popular, leg of mutton sleeves, glass beads, pannelled skirts, short hair set into rows of waves, silk chiffon veils, pearl and silk flower head-dress, beaded and embroidered skull caps, coloured glass brooches, dresses cut on bias.

1955 - 1959 Brides were wearing brocade bugle beads, organdie, patterned silk-chiffon, silk tuelle, lace, scallops, knee length frocks, bows, small beaded headresses, silk grossgrain, strapless gowns with stiffened petticoats, lace, velvet bows and seer sucker.

I lost interest after the 50's especially after the introduction of polyester and lame.  The Fashion Museum at Bath is on my to-do hit list while I'm here in England as I believe it has a bigger collection of historical fashion.  I was fortunate enough to visit the Wedding Dresses 1775 - 2014 exhibition at the V&A when we first arrived in London last year.  I really appreciate the history, the handiwork and accessibility to enjoy such beautiful exhibitions, it really has been a highlight of life in London for me.