Thursday 29 July 2010

A Century Of Style: The Challenge (Day One, 1900-1910)

My Great-grandmother's 1906 wedding blouse worn with a vintage Aquascutum waistcoat and a 1970's David Pressler maxi skirt
 
Yesterday, the lovely Alex challenged me to dress in the fashions of the Twentieth Century, decade by decade, for ten days. 


Leather "Edwardian Lady" Boots (British Heart Foundation £4.99)

Welcome to Day One, 1900-1910
The Period known as La Belle Epoque which commenced in 1895 reached a peak of popularity following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. An epoch in luxury living and beautiful clothes for the select few born into a life of privilege.

Cameo brooch (Inherited)
The austerity of the Victorian era was forgotten as women of the upper-classes dressed to show their wealth and status. 

 
Cream and white became the colours of the day to show that the fashionable could afford servants to launder their clothes, made filthy by galavanting around town, riding in motorcars and playing croquet. Handbags were rarely necessary as a maidservant would carry what a lady required. 


Hair became big and extravagent and jewellery was opulent and expensive. A lady put up her hair to show she was mature enough for marriage (hence I'm wearing mine down.)



Edward VII's brief reign ended upon his death in 1910 and he was succeeded by George V.


48 comments:

  1. You look lovely as always, i especially like those vintage style topshop circle earrings in your last few posts.
    Your blog always puts a smile on my face when i'm feeling low like for the last few weeks. :)

    G :)

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  2. Great idea for a challenge.
    No handbags for me. I hate 'em. I do have a paid retainer to support me but don't tell the OH I said so!

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  3. this is such a piece of real history! i wish clothes could speak... you're so lucky to wear such unique vintage garment!!!

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  4. Just a thought. Could you do the 60s twice and miss out the 20s? Does anyone like flapper fashion? It's perhaps the fashion era I least like....Is that just me?

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  5. Ha ha, you crack me up! Love this gorgeous elegance, Vix, you look so stunningly elegant! XO!

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  6. what a terrific posting concept. i think you or we will have fun with this one! focus always makes for a great post. you know i love victorian anything! oh i love the gibson girl blouse. blows my mind. thanks for the lovely comments on my post. you are special to me! i told mom about you and your raincoat you made from a shower curtain.

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  7. Wow you are so lucky to have your great grandmothers blouse. Love the post too.
    Dx

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  8. Brilliant idea - love it! can't wait to see the twenties.

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  9. I'm watching this one, I love retro - did you see my kitchen stuff and my dining room furniture? all 60s and 70s to match my house! I'm loving your fashion vix xx

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  10. Vix this is such a fantastic post! I can't wait for the next installment. Nice idea Alex!!

    Gorgeous outfit, and love the hair trivia.
    The brooch is gorgeous, as are the boots.

    xx

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  11. Looking forward to following the challenge, and no don't miss the 20's, flapper fashion is fab! You'll have no probs when you get to 60's and 70's but I wonder which of your awesome outfits you'll pick. I'm looking forward to 50's? what a great idea :) x

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  12. This is brilliant, I love how you've styled the photographs to look authentic to the period - I always associate the curved corners with old photos!

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  13. What an authentic challenge! And looks like if someone could do it, it would be you :) Love the brooch and the outfit is very very classy! :)

    P.S. Followin you on Bloglovin' now! :)

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  14. Well done Alex on an fabulous challenge. Love the first instalment. So elegant. Your inherited cameo is ever so pretty.
    I do am jealous of my friends trip. She is going all over the place some on organised trips and some time doing it herself. She is already talking about doing South America next year. I think she will be a wanderer for many years.
    x

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  15. I love this challenge and your outfit is gorgeous xxx

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  16. Brilliant, love this post, can't wait to see the rest of the challenge! I love the bit of history too =) xx

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  17. What a great idea for a challenge!!Only you could do this!!
    I think I could just cry though,out of sheer envy and admiration!!I love this,it's one of my favourite eras,and you've done it so well,with such beautiful pieces!I adore cameos,and to have an inherited one!Oh!
    I can't wait to see how this challenge pans out!!
    LOVE Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  18. I love the boots! I think it's amazing that you still have your great-grandmother's wedding blouse.

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  19. What a perfect challenge for you. I shall look forward to my fashion history lessons each night :)

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  20. What an absolutely brilliant idea for a challenge - and there's no one better equipped than you to undertake it! Loved reading about the century. You're so knowledgeable. Although I cannot WAIT to see the 70s! You'll definitely rock that. x

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  21. This is a great idea..Thanks for all the fashion/clothes information about this era..Love ur brooch, its beautiful, looking forward to ur next post:-)

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  22. You will do amazing at this challenge! Really looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

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  23. Great challenge. Love the fact you can wear your grt grandmothers wedding blouse. Mine were teeny ladies about 5 ft high (and I'm only a size 10/12 but 5' 7)so if there was a blouse around I'd have no chance.
    The clothes look lovely on you. I bet you will enjoy trying out all the decades.

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  24. oh wow ! i love real vintage pieces ! thats incredible that u still have a piece of her collection

    xx lue

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  25. What a challenge! I would need to do some research before I could start. But she couldn't have picked anyone better suited to breeze through the decades - and this combination is lovely indeed! xxx

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  26. what an awesome challenge vix! I can't wait to see the rest of them. I love the brooch and boots. x

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  27. Incredible outifit you look so amazing! I love that you have clothes from your ancestors.
    p.s. Yes it's Barry M - it's your fault you got me started on it, it lasts for ages!
    Kandi x

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  28. This is amazing Vix! I am so thrilled that you are doing this, it will be so brilliant to see everyday! x

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  29. What a brilliant idea for a challenge, and what a beautiful cameo. Can't wait to see the rest!

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  30. What a great idea!!!!
    I can't wait to see them all.
    You are so creative and inspiring :)

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  31. What a lovely idea! I can't wait to see what other gems you pull out, Vix!

    Cameo brooch is beautiful. I bought a necklace from a charity shop a while back, and I just love it!

    Lou x - craftyandquirky.blogspot.com

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  32. Dear Vix,
    Wow, this challenge will be so much fun...
    I can't wait to see all the amazing outfits you will come up with.
    I'm looking forward to the 50s especially; will we be treated to a Dior-esque New Look Vixen?
    I think I'd be struggling to find authentic attire from the earlier decades of the 1900s in my own vintage wardrobe; you are very lucky to have such beautiful inherited pieces in your possession.
    Then I think I'd be struggling even more once I got around to the mid to late decades, as I've got a profusion of apparel from the 50s & forwards, it would be a complete nightmare having to narrow it down to just one outfit a decade.
    I hope you have lots of fun doing this challenge my darling, I'll be awaiting your posts with the greatest anticipation!
    ...xXx

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  33. Vix, there is one word that comes to mind...lovely. It is mindblowing that you have authentic garments and accessories to take on this challenge. How lucky you are to have these items lovingly passed down to you. And I love the little history lesson that goes along with this post. You look like a proper Victorian lady and this is my favorite time period.

    Pls don't overlook the 20s, fashion became radical with shorter hemlines, looser corsets if any, and bobbed hair...freedom! Very scandalous stuff BUT personally I can't wait to see you in 60s garb!

    Looking forward to it all! Hats off to you and Alex.

    xoxo, Bonnie

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  34. OH this is going to be so fun to watch :)

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  35. What a clever challenge! You look AWESOME! Also, thanks for all the info. SO SO SO interesting! Can't wait for tomorrow!!

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  36. J'adore !!!!
    Vix, you're just FABULOUS !!!!

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  37. This is a brilliant challenge. So interesting and intriguing, you really do have such an amazing collection. The boots and the cameo are particularly my favourite.
    I can’t wait to see the 50s/60s/70s! :)

    Thank-you for the advice on the clothes I don’t wear, I would have never in a million years have thought to have styled the skirt with a tee, nor would I have been brave enough to wear it with boots before!

    And you know the dress, I do feel a little conscious about the arms, so your idea about the tights is also very wise! The dress has really got to me the most out of them all. I seem to have come to the realisation maybe it is just something I will never wear, who knows! I really don’t think it suits my shape, but maybe one day I might be able to re work it and find a way of feeling comfortable. xx

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  38. Glorious!! I'm so glad you accepted the challenge and that people seem to be enjoying the results of it so much. I'm really looking forward to the 20s one, and the 40s. It'll be interesting to see the 90s too cos I don't really remember anything about it fashion-wise other than combat pants!

    Love, love, love the style of the photos and the mini history lesson with this post and the outfit is just beautiful. I think there's a sort of timeless, wearable quality about the best fashions of each era and this is a lovely example.

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  39. This is a fantastic challenge (well done Alex!). I really enjoyed this - so interesting to hear about why light colours came into fashion, why hair was worn up etc. Really looking forward to the rest of the series. Have a great w/end. xx

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  40. Tenue tres romantique,j adore tes bottes ;O)

    bon w end !

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  41. What a fantastic idea! You look lovely in this outfit, you always do though! I adore how you can wear any style of clothing and still look fabulous! Definately an inspiration!

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  42. Such a great challenge, can't wait to see the rest of your outfits! You look so elegant for this one :)

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  43. Great outfit - how lovely to own something that belonged to your great grandmother. And am still laughing about your hair comment! Have a great weekend xx

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  44. I love those boots and that waistcoat - what a a fab idea!!

    Sal xXx

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  45. Those boots are unbelievably amazing. Omg.

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  46. Oh my goodness this is WONDERFUL!! what a fab challenge and only you can truly, really pull this off!

    You look amazing...and those boots are killing me!

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Lots of love, Vix