Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Fashion from 100 Years Ago

Fashions 1914

A SMART AFTERNOON FROCK

The shop windows and showrooms have during the last two or three weeks shown a certain change. Now the very great majority of the new models, whether they be gowns, costumes, blouses or hats, are marked by a certain simplicity of style.

This will not be a winter of extreme fashions, either as regards cut or colour, and the outstanding characteristic of the really well-dressed woman will be an exquisitely- fashioned quietness of effect. Hence the popularity of soft materials, such as thin cloth, light-weight serge, crepe de chine, charmeuse etc., and quiet, low tones, such as dark blue, grey, tete-de negre, and similar shades. Our sketch shows one of the new gowns suitable for everyday wear during the autumn and winter.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MODES FOR THE BUSINESS GIRL.

The illustrations show very business-like suits, originally designed for a holiday coat and skirt for the moors, and struck me as a capital mode for the business girl.
 
A SMART AND COMFORTABLE COAT

The cult of the long coat is certainly one of the most marked features of the present season’s fashions. As a separate coat it is much favoured even by the very smartest of women, whilst as part of a coat and skirt costume it is the very latest development of the winter fashions.

It is not nearly so long as was its prototype of last winter, the most modish examples having fully eight or nine inches of skirt visible below the bottom of the coat.

Some of the most attractive examples are carried out in a soft, thick serge with a smooth surface but a marked rib in its weave, whilst others are made of tweed, cloth, homespun, Bedford cord etc.
 
 
 
Source: Isle of Wight Times 1 October 1914 & 26 November 1914
Colour Image source: Ladies Home Journal (October 1914)