Survey 7: Cubism and corporate identity (1905–1915)

If You Thought Putting on a Sweater in the Morning Was Hard, You Should See These Guys….

Fashion, like art and literary trends, have been constantly changing with every year and decade that goes by. Although fashion trends have changed greatly for men throughout time- from heavy robes to fitted suits, very little changes can be seen across the decades that are close to one another, therefore there will be a greater focus on women’s’ dress in the early 20th century as they are continuously changing. 

The Belle Epoch was a period when European countries had the greatest influence upon outside countries and were politically strong. During this time morale was high, and there was economic stability, which led to an advancement in art, music and fashion, especially in France. This led to Paris being the center of fashion, where rich women would come to buy their clothes, which were decked out in feathers, lace and pearls.   

Following the Victorian era, where women sported bulky garments and restrictive frames, came the Edwardian era which introduced a more natural and fitted shape in clothing. 

What follows is a list of some garments that were popular and widely worn by women:

Corsets- Having a slim figure was desirable as it would mean that one was refined and dignified. In order to achieve that ideal lithe form, women would wear corsets that would constrict the upper body. In the early 20th century,  Dr. Inès Gaches-Sarraute recognized the dangers of wearing a corset. She designed a new corset that would improve the health of women and prevent many female-related health problems. This new corset encouraged a healthier posture by removing pressure from the waist and diaphragm.  However, this resulted in pushing the chest forward and pushing the hips back, forming an S-shaped figure. 

Hobble Skirt- Amongst the many skirt forms worn by women during this period, the hobble skirt was very popular. Being in especially great demand between 1910 to 1913, the hobble skirt was a close-fitting skirt that brought the knees together and cinched in at the ankles. It was extremely difficult to walk in, and women would have to take tiny steps to get around.  The wiggle skirt, made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the ’50s, was based off the hobble skirt. 

Feathered hat- Feathered hats were the most important staple accessory in a woman’s wardrobe. The popularity of these hats reached its peak during the early 20th century. Women’s hats were brimming with bird feathers, wings, and even taxidermied bodies. Large plumes and flowers dominated the hats. During this time, there was no consideration for the number of birds being killed for hats as everyone believed birds were an inexhaustible resource, which led to a huge decline in the bird population. 

Sources:

fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1900-1909/

glamourdaze.com/history-of-womens-fashion/1900-to-1919

www.britannica.com/topic/dress-clothing/The-early-20th-century