History of costume
A History of
Fashion
Motoring Outfits
The satins, silks, and tulles worn by ladies of leisure were impractical for the growing numbers of independent middle-class women who went out to work. Sensible suits, known as tailormades, were aimed at governesses, typists, and store assistants. Made of hard-wearing tweed, which did not show the dirt, tailor-mades were also worn by wealthier women for traveling.They were teamed with a blouse which could be changed and washed more often.
By the turn of the century, cars had been around for about twenty years, but were so expensive that only the very rich could afford them. From
1908, however, car ownership rose, with the introduction of the first mass-produced car, the Model T
Ford.
Wearing separates, rather than an allin-one dress, was popularized in the
United States by an illustrated character known as the Gibson Girl.
Created by artist Charles Gibson, she represented the new, modern woman and was often shown taking part in activities such as bicycling or playing tennis. Men’s Dress
Businessmen wore black morning coats with pinstriped trousers.Tweed or checked three-piece suits—a matching jacket, vest, and trousers— were also worn. All respectable men wore a hat outdoors, such as a derby, trilby, or even a straw boater.
On formal occasions, men still dressed in a top hat and frock coat, as they had in the 1800s. Originally based on a military coat, the frock coat was knee-length, came in at the waist, and was full at the back with pleats, buttons, and vents. It was worn with a vest and checked or pinstriped trousers. 8
The growing craze for motoring demanded specialist costumes. Early cars were open-topped and many lacked even a windscreen—motorists were soon covered with dirt thrown up from the roads. In summer, people wore duster coats, silk or linen overcoats that repelled the dust.
Goggles, veiled bonnets, or balaclavastyle helmets protected the
Fashion
Motoring Outfits
The satins, silks, and tulles worn by ladies of leisure were impractical for the growing numbers of independent middle-class women who went out to work. Sensible suits, known as tailormades, were aimed at governesses, typists, and store assistants. Made of hard-wearing tweed, which did not show the dirt, tailor-mades were also worn by wealthier women for traveling.They were teamed with a blouse which could be changed and washed more often.
By the turn of the century, cars had been around for about twenty years, but were so expensive that only the very rich could afford them. From
1908, however, car ownership rose, with the introduction of the first mass-produced car, the Model T
Ford.
Wearing separates, rather than an allin-one dress, was popularized in the
United States by an illustrated character known as the Gibson Girl.
Created by artist Charles Gibson, she represented the new, modern woman and was often shown taking part in activities such as bicycling or playing tennis. Men’s Dress
Businessmen wore black morning coats with pinstriped trousers.Tweed or checked three-piece suits—a matching jacket, vest, and trousers— were also worn. All respectable men wore a hat outdoors, such as a derby, trilby, or even a straw boater.
On formal occasions, men still dressed in a top hat and frock coat, as they had in the 1800s. Originally based on a military coat, the frock coat was knee-length, came in at the waist, and was full at the back with pleats, buttons, and vents. It was worn with a vest and checked or pinstriped trousers. 8
The growing craze for motoring demanded specialist costumes. Early cars were open-topped and many lacked even a windscreen—motorists were soon covered with dirt thrown up from the roads. In summer, people wore duster coats, silk or linen overcoats that repelled the dust.
Goggles, veiled bonnets, or balaclavastyle helmets protected the