Friday 30 July 2010

A Century Of Style: The Challenge (1910 - 1920)

1910's-era hand-made fillet lace & chiffon blouse with crochet ball-buttons at the cuff and pintuck detailing (Car boot sale 50p), Oriental carpet bag and Art Deco buckle belt (Jumble sale finds), 1970's maxi skirt (My darling Helga), Victorian Mother-of-Pearl earrings (Inherited)

I've been set a challenge to dress in the style of each decade of the Twentieth Century over the next ten days.


Day Two: 1910 - 1920

In the years following the Edwardian-era the clothing style continued to evolve. Following the Ballet Russe's arrival in Paris in 1909 the wealthier classes became obsessed with the opulence and exoticism of the costumes and stage sets. A popular trend of this period was Orientalism whereby the wealthy classes dressed themselves as Geishas and harem girls for wild parties.


Great Aunt Florence outside the family home in Chester in 1915. The kimono and obi have hung in the cloakroom of my family home ever since I was a child, but much to my dismay, my father decided to throw them in the bin a fortnight ago. Unfortunately, not all my family share my hoarding gene.


The Great War years of 1914-1918 heralded the invention of the first brassiere causing corsets to be abandoned and tailoring to become softer. Belts were worn for the first time and due to many women working outside the home to help the war effort, handbags became a necessity. In-line with the trend for all things Oriental carpet bags were especially popular.

 
Jewellery was kept to a minimum and for practicality's sake hair was either cut or worn in "curtains", parted at the centre and rolled up at either side. During this period Henna was used for the first time, due to it being both natural and exotic.




33 comments:

  1. I love your hair in this style.
    I simply can't contemplate not having a brassiere. I shudder to think of it.
    Chester, huh? That's where I went to school. And where my maternal grandmother lived.

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  2. Ooh your hair looks lovely in this style.

    so far I have loved both decades on you. I don't think they'll be one I won't.

    xx

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  3. Amazing. This challenge is so informative, I love it. It's like a little history lesson in itself.
    I think my favourite has to be the bag, you own such wonderful items.
    And what lovely photographs xx

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  4. Fabulous look. I love Edwardian style xx

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  5. Love it! I've never been particularly into Oriental design but a carpet bag wins my heart every time.

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  6. thank you for all of your efforts for this post. i enjoy how you are digging up facts for each era. i thought of going to you first today. even before sewing. i am making runners today. i love this period when the belts start showing up. oh i love this post. more please!

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  7. Wonderful post again, I'm really looking forward to the next decades. Love the handbag very much!
    Kandi x

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  8. Incredible Challenge, looking forward to the decades as the roll xx

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  9. I was really looking forward to your post today Vix. You look...again...lovely. Your hair is perfect in that style and Great Aunt Florence is a adorable in her kimono.

    See you tomorrow, can't wait!
    Bonnie

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  10. The sepia tones on your photos are VERY nice - although I DO love the blue/gray color of the skirt....

    And I'm on the "love-your-hair bandwagon"! What a lovely style on you.

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  11. Vix, the shoes are from Candy Says. They have a lot of great stuff but it's not car-boot prices. Do take a look!

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  12. so beautiful! it's like walking through time xx

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  13. U really know a lot of history and fashion:-)u look very graceful..

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  14. I love your hair in these pictures. This challenge is really interesing for me!

    I also love the vintage feel of you photos here.

    Lou x - craftyandquirky.blogspot.com

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  15. Lovely outfit and gorgeous photographs :) Your hair looks lovely like this! I keep wearing mine in a similar style to keep it off my face now it is getting long :p

    Can't wait for the next entry! x

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  16. this post is amazing! thank you for sharing! you look gorgeous in that genuine edwardian outfit!

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  17. Your hair looks so lovely! I love that blouse, it is so delicate! What a great boot sale find!

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  18. Vix this is such a great look.
    Dx

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  19. Your wardrobe is so versatile - I can't wait for the next installment!

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  20. The bin???? OMG... and it looks like such a beautiful thing on that photograph.

    You look great. I must go back and check out the first installment. x

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  21. This is the coolest fashion challenge ever and I seriously cannot think of anyone more perfect to participate in it than you.

    Seriously, there are some current "style icons" out there right now like the Gossip Girl actresses and what not. They might have amazing closets, but I would choose yours over theirs any day. Your wardrobe consists of such incredible treasures from all over the world and from so many different decades. It's breathtaking.

    This outfit is no exception!

    PS. My heart sank when I read your dad threw out the kimono. Men seriously have NO idea what is trash! Sigh.

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  22. this is amazing! i love how knowledgeable you're about apparel history! its really interesting to see you "demonstrate" it too! thanks for sharing this with us, i always learn something from you :)
    xx

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  23. So pretty! Your hair looks great too, so lady like you are. xxx

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  24. So elegant and ladylike, Vix! Love your hair, very authentic! XO!

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  25. Your hair and this bag are sooo awesome !!!

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  26. auj tu me fais pensee aux femmes des mystere de l ouest je ne sais pas si tu te souiviens de cette series

    http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=les%20mysteres%20de%20l%20ouest&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

    j aime bcp tu as bcp de gouts !

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  27. Vix, you look absolutely incredible! Between the outfit and the photographs, you've made your look so utterly authentic and I agree with a comment above: your hair is lovely in this style!

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  28. I actually really like this outfit! Can't wait until you reach the 80s ;)

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  29. This is beautiful! I absolutely adore what you did with your hair :)

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  30. Oh what a huge shame about the kimono, I bet you were gutted! I think your hair looks very lovely like that and I love the bag, I'm developing a bit of a thing for carpet bags lately.

    xx

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  31. This is such a fun challenge. Like your hair here!! :)

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  32. Your hair looks fab like this! Love the soft blouse :)

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  33. I'm loving this history lesson Vix! And you are just a treasure trove!

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Lots of love, Vix