I have recently aquired a small quantity of fashion booklets and magazines. I have had a lot of fun looking through them all. My favourite chapters have been those dedicated to costume worn for various sports.
Anyone for tennis? The first 3 photos are taken from The Gallery of English Costume, published in 1963. The model is wearing a tennis dress from 1883, the 2nd photo showing the detail of her belt and raquet cover.
Next is a tennis dress from 1896-1900, followed by this knitted ensemble from The Needlewoman magazine of June 1934.
Still a little way to go before we can see something that one might actually be able to run around a court in!
This tennis dress dates from 1938 and is made from cream twilled wool, and it is possible that one could win a game or two as long as it wasn't a very hot day.
This is one of my faves, a Croquet dress from 1860-65, can you imagine trying to play even something as gentile as croquet in this?
Cycling dress 1897-1902... rather groovy for the time...
Another fab design from The Needlewoman - 1924. A knitted dress for Boating, not a pretty vision if you got it wet!
I could rattle on for hours sharing these, but have left my fave until last. "Gardening may be done in several ways. You may, clad in linen overall, labourisly pick up weeds, strenuously mow the lawn or ruthlessly dig up daisy roots.." it goes on to say that The knitted flower coatee is ideal for gentle gardening.. "let your efforts in the garden not be too strenuous". An impossibility in this outfit! I will be bringing these booklets along with a selection of Vintage clothing, Textiles, trimmings and Linens to The 60th Talent for Textiles Event in Bath on Thursday the 1st of September at The American Museum. BA2 7BD. The Fair opens at 10 and ends at 5pm. Do contact me or
Elizabeth Baer if you would like an invitation to this unique event. The ticket also allows entry into the museum and exhibition of Marilyn Monroe dresses. After that I will be busy selling at both Antique and Vintage fairs, see sidebar for details.
20 comments:
Lovely! That gardening outfit would be for the sort of gardening where you deadhead a few flowers and tell the man where to dig wouldn't it?! I remnember seeing an article in Good Housekeeping in the "Look for a Lifestyle" section not so long ago which pictured a lady wearing a cashmere cardigan cost £200 in the potting shed so maybe fashions haven't really changed as far as magazines are concerned!!
Lovely pictures Lizzie and I particularly love the cycling dress. I nursed an old lady many years ago who told me the story of riding pillion on her husbands motorbike in the 1920's, apparently it was frowned upon because she wore trousers and parted her legs to sit astride the bike!!
Jo xx
These are brilliant, thanks so much for sharing them, If only sport was a glamourous now. My favourite is the cycling dress. xx
Fascinating post - I studied fashion design at art school and one of my favourite subjects was history of costume. Looking at the cycling outfit for 1897-1902, it's hard to believe she's actually showing her legs at that time... right up to the knee! Jane G
Oh I just love the Tennis outfit from the NeedleWoman.
Oh what a fabulous post! How silly it seems now, but what a shock to remember how women had to dress.
Food for thought, I particularly like the boating dress! Better trust your navigator! Cheers CM
Those are great pictures it always amazes me seeing outfits from times past. I have to say my favoutite is the 1938 tennis dress looks really sweet and much more practical. Hope your well, dee xx
Thank you for all your lovely comments. It is good to know that so many of us share an interest for the history of costume. Don't forget to contact me if you would like an invitation to the Fair at the American museum. It not only gets you into the event, but also to the museum. Lizzie x
These are wonderful - thanks for sharing them. Look forward to seeing you at the American Museum. M x
See you there Vintage Jane! Your ticket is on it's way! xx
I think I would like to wear costumes like that for sport - it would give a good excuse for being really useless at hitting the ball! I was never any good at croquet whatever I wore, and at least in a long dress you could nudge the ball with your foot without anyone noticing!
Pomona x
These costumes are very popular and become a trend setter on those days.These days the costumes became very popular and most of the fashion designers are following those trend.I really like this costumes very much.
Hi Lizzie, Have just spent a very happy hour discovering your blog and still have 2008, 2009 and most of 2010 to go! You are a very busy lady - hope to meet you at Shepton in August if not before.
Jennie
These are fab Liz! I suspect years ago women took part in sports wearing corsets too! Madness!
Certainly a contrast to the tiny Lycra numbers worn by so many female athletes today!
Niki x
What a lovely blog. How can I 'follow' it?
Great post. Love the gardening outfit. I saw an advert for gardening clothes for ladies recently and thought 'Do people really buy clothes to garden in?' Don't they just wear old clothes like the rest of us? Thanks for the offer of the tickets but I probably won't be needing any. I appreciate the offer.
well, well, they are amazing and I suddenly feel so FREE... but still would like so bits of the design to be available today. Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
My, how sporting fashion has changed
First visit to your blog and I love the title photo.
The Bath fair sounds fab, any tickets left?
Heather
Thank you for all your lovely comments that I came back to after my hols. Only just managing to catch up and read them all! Lizzie x
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