Femininity in clothing, sadly lost
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| 1910 fashions - source |
Even 100 years ago fashion was causing grief, being considered immodest and not ladylike. This is what the editor of the 1912 edition of Girls Own Annual thought of "modern" fashion.
From time to time in the past, women's dress has had "mad" periods when good taste has been thrown to the winds and eccentricity put in its place. But surely there has never been such an orgy or vulgarity combined with sheer hideousness in the matter of dress, as has run riot during the past year or so.
Of course, all women are not so weak as to allow themselves to over-ridden by every folly of fashion; there are still plenty left who are clear-headed enough to see the absurdity-and also the pitifulness of it all.
On Saturday evening my theatre friends and I went to see Titanic the Musical. It was beautifully (and tastefully) done and told the story that we all know so well of the maiden voyage and the subsequent sinking of the Titanic.
On Saturday evening my theatre friends and I went to see Titanic the Musical. It was beautifully (and tastefully) done and told the story that we all know so well of the maiden voyage and the subsequent sinking of the Titanic.
But on a lighter note I enjoyed the fashions. They were feminine and pretty (I don't think they were the sort being discussed in the 1912 Girls Own Annual!). A couple of outfits I would have loved to have worn and in fact I think I could wear them today quite comfortably. What we have today is anything but feminine as I discovered when I went shopping for winter clothes last week. I was very disappointed in the lack of nice modest clothing for the more mature (!!) woman, none of the shops had anything that I would call feminine and I couldn't find one pretty winter skirt. Sadly, trousers or short skirts are what everyone is wearing at the moment and as I don't like trousers and all the skirts are above the knee (which become a big problem when you sit down), I left without any purchases. I really need to teach myself to sew and then I could attempt to make my own 1910 outfit!! In the meantime I use eBay - it is surprising what you can find! What would the editor of the 1912 Girls Own Annual think of modern 21st century clothes. She would be outraged I am sure.
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| McCall's magazine, August 1910 |
I don't want to sound shallow, but one of the reasons why I love watching the English TV series Downton Abby is look at the beautiful fashions - the colours, all the details with the lace, the floral fabrics, the hats . . . to me it encapsulates femininity.
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| A scene from Downton Abby - I would love to own the dress in the middle. Whilst I like the modern technological age that I live in (yes, I know, I can't have my cake and eat it to!!) I really would love to wear the clothes of the Edwardian period!! |
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| source |
Something lite to start the week!
What would be your favourite era for clothing?
However, what really matters is our inner beauty not what we wear, but I do think our clothing need to reflect our Christian beliefs and not be part of this modern world that completely lacks any femininity or modesty.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:3-4
I love the fashion of the 1940s, classic styling but made within modest budgets. Todays clothes are all too short or too tight, many people think it is feminine to have everything on show but I agree that the older Fashions are much more graceful.
ReplyDeleteI love the suits of the 1940's, the very classic look of tweed!!
DeleteI like the fashion of various eras, but the one that I always come back to is the mid to late 1800s - the modest dresses worn by women in those times (eg. the high-necked dresses), because I know some of their clothing was not so modest and sometimes the neckline was rather low.
ReplyDeleteI also like some of the clothing from the early to mid 1950s (the ones that are longer, not the shorter ones!!).
I meant early to mid 1900s! ;)
DeleteI am with you on some of the dresses of the 1950's - they were very feminine indeed. I'm not as fond of the high neck as I don't like high neck now, so I would have been hopeless then, unless it was made of silk and very soft. I remember my mother getting me to wear polo jumpers and they drove me mad!!! I am a huge fan of square necks!!
DeleteI don't have a particular era I'm fond of but I do agree with the lack of modest dress today! It's funny but it's easier for me being a "large" woman to find something than my 11 yo who is already in Misses! But it can be done. Thankfully, maxi dresses are coming back in and I've been able to "modestize" some things by adding a cami and/or a sweater.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any daughters, but I can imagine how hard it is to find things that aren't immodest - that don't how off the middle or bottom or both.
DeleteThanks for dropping by and have a wonderful week.
I love the forties and fifties. The children have been watching the old episodes of Lassie. I want a few of his mothers dresses. They are perfect for working and maintaining femininity. But, I would have to make it myself. I can't even find a pattern for one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love those shoes from the Downtown Abbey pics! Pretty shoes are also very difficult to find.
DeleteYes - with the shoes, all three shoes are very nice. I don't like modern shoes at all - they are either too high or boring. And they don't last as long as they once did.
DeleteI really wish I could look at an outfit and them make it!! Wouldn't that be such a talent.
Have a lovely week:)
The Edwardian period is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteI love long dresses and lace embellishments, soft gloves and pretty hats.
It's interesting to see you quote from a 1912 Girls Own Annual.
My 1889 edition has the same sort of statements in it.
"Fashion" for fashion's sake only, is a perenial problem in any age!
But feminine dress is ALWAYS in style for the likes of us :-)
blessings..Trish
Trish - I love my Girls Own Annuals and have spent some of the afternoon reading one of them. My mother kindly gave me 4 of them that were once her mothers. A gift I will treasure. You are bound to see a few more quote from these wonderful Annuals.
DeleteHi Joluise,
ReplyDeleteI love the fashions as seen in the 'I Love Lucy' show.
But, sadly due to a slightly (make that majorly) uneven body shape ,and now..advencing age....I wear trousers, pretty tops and and blouses, and have done for forty odd years.
I feel that shawls and scarves,jewellery and pretty shoes can make them ladylike.
I do agree some 'fashion' styles are totally immodest.
God Bless
Barb from Australia
When I was going through my mothers clothes I found heaps of scarves that she use to wear - she liked to add them to plain tops to add a touch of colour and prettiness. I have kept some so I can wear them and think of her :) She also liked to wear brooches as well to add sparkle. Sadly she can't wear these things in the nursing home as they are too fiddly for her to manage but dad still buys her pretty tops to add colour.
DeleteHi - my favourite era is the 1950s with full skirts and tiny waists. I love the way all the clothes coordinated with beautiful gloves and hats and ladies looked 'dressed' instead of everything just thrown together and shapeless. Even when doing housework, the clothes were better than the ones we wear to special occasions. Lily. xxx
ReplyDeleteJoluise, I hope you don't mind my sharing this link for a page in my web site. It is intended to help ladies find more modest clothing for themselves and their girls. There are some links to pattern sources too, where ladies who are interested in past era clothing may find a pattern they are looking for or can use to design their own take. Most of these sources are in the U.S., but hopefully it will prove useful to some of your readers. I don't know how to make the link active, so they will have to copy and paste.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.homemakerscorner.com/modesty_helpful_links.html
Thankyou Mary for the link, there are some interesting patterns in there - in particular the Folkwear site. I do love the empire dress pattern!!
DeleteDoes Clara know about this one as I am sure she would find inspiration from some of these patterns.
I might do another post and post these links as they are really interesting -thankyou again :)
Jo - You know my feelings on the topic - I abhor the lack of feminitiy. I wear pretty much the same thing to work everyday. Awhile ago we were told we could switch from skirts (which used to be required) to pants. I was hte only one who didn't make the change, simply because I like to look a little more feminine. That is, however, pretty uncommon in this modern world!
ReplyDeleteI wear a skirt at work (both long or to the knee) and in winter I am often the only one who does. I don't wear trousers anymore and feel really strange if I do - I feel like a boy and not ladylike. I also like to add scarves and brooches to a feminine touch (and colour). I do have a habit of wearing lots of black skirts and a 1000 different tops will go with them!!
DeleteOld post, but I want to add my 2 cents. I love the civil war camp dresses. Now those were pretty
ReplyDeleteI will have to check them out as I am not familiar with that style of dress :))
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