Edwardian Era Fashion Chit Chat - November 1902 The Delineator

Edwardian Era Fashion Chit Chat - November 1902 The Delineator

Fashions of To-day

A chief characteristic of the new waists and bodices is the drop-shoulder effect, achieved either by the shaping of the garment or by the disposition of the trimming. An attractive example has a drop-shoulder yoke that may be fashioned of all-over lace or the same or a contrasting fabric. The Duchess closing is another feature, and the sleeves may be in full or three-quarter length bishop style.

A tucked waist, showing the drop-shoulder effect, closes at the back and may be made with high or round neck, full-length or elbow sleeves, and with or without caps in drop-shoulder outline. Lace and silk or soft silk-and-wool materials will make up with charming results.

That skirts will remain close-fitting about the hips and with the decided flare around the bottom is indicated in the newest designs. This effect is achieved in a nine-gored flare skirt in frou-frou effect at the lower edge. It is closely fitted to the knee and may be in habit style or with an inverted box-plait at the back. It is known as the eel-skin or mermaid skirt and is appropriate for the development of handsome cloths and velvet. The seams may be given a decorative finish by stitched bands of cloth, silk, or satin, or a fibre braid, with fancy edge, may be applied.

A novel style is expressed in a skirt made with habit back and consisting of a five-gored foundation skirt and a circular portion with a centre-front seam and in tunic depth at the back, where it is lengthened by two circular flounces. The mode is adapted to both plain and figured goods and suggests innumerable decorative effects.

Net, lace, tulle and mousseline are equally suitable to the fashioning of a charming new costme consisting of a waist closed at the back, with high or low-necked drop-shoulder yoke, cap or three-quarter length flowing sleeves with or without under-sleeves, and a five-gored skirt with inverted box-plait or gathers at the back and with or without the graduated circular flounce, from beneath which the skirt should be cut away. Tiny lace-edged frills of the material are a graceful trimming for both the bodice and skirt.

Good style marks a new costume that consists of a blouse Eton jacket that may be made with or without the peplum and flare or cape collars, the sleeves being in flowing or bishop style, and a seven-gored flare sheath skirt that may be in habit style or with an inverted box-plait at the back. Both plain and metallic-printed velvets and velvet cord suggest attractive possibilities.

A Monte Carlo coat that will be equally attractive in silk or lightweight cloth may be in three-quarter or hip length, and its distinguishing characteristics are the drop-shoulder yoke and an Ascot stock that may be omitted.

A more practical top garment and one suitable for cloth or heavy woollens may be in automobile or short three-quarter length, with flowing or regulation coat sleeves. The shoulder and sleeve straps may be omitted.

Quite the smartest design for the coat to be worn with walking skirts is the loose or box Norfolk mode, with stitched straps and belt of the material, which should be of a heavy, rough texture preferably.

Those who affect "mannish" styles will appreciate a new frock coat intended for wear with a shirt-waist or with vest or chemisette and also adapted to equestrianism, either for the cross or side saddle. Plain material such as cloth or cheviot is used to develop this garment.