1890-1900 late Victorian Era

The winner of the fused glass trivet celebrating my 100th post is Stephanie at www.stephcupoftea.blogspot.com. Congratulations Stephanie! It will be in the mail this week.

Thanks to all that left comments.

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The picture today is of my grandmother on the left and her friend during the late Victorian Era, about 1890-1900. The bustle had disappeared and the costume became less complicated. Women wore an “Hour class” shape that flared to the hem and had an overhanging blouse with leg-of-mutton sleeves. Materials were tucked, quilted, smocked, and laced with embroidery embellishments. Specialty clothing for women started to be developed for bicycling, golf, and tennis. My grandmother actually played on a women’s basketball team in college and they wore bloomers, long baggy pants, and blouses with leg-of-mutton sleeves.

More mannish styles began to appear, such as starched collars and cuffs. A touch of rouge and a dash of rice powder sufficed in cosmetics. Hairdressing was a fluffy effect in which tiny curls softened the neckline and framed the face. The hair was simply dressed, drawn up into a knot on the top of the head.

Fresh violets were very popular, worn in the evening and on coats, suits, dresses, and muffs. The vogue of violets lasted through the first decade of the twentieth century.

Information taken from: The Mode in Costume by R. Turner Wilcox