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| Fashion in England, France and America was strongly influenced by the extravagant taste of King Edward VII. Lavish dinner parties and balls demanded that fashionable woman own a vast array of gowns, coats, suits, blouses, hats, furs, feather boas, parasols, fans and gloves. The complexities of society required a complex wardrobe; one had to have a dress for every social occasion and every sporting event. The advent of the automobile required an outfit for driving as well.
Young women started to enter the workforce, gaining employment as secretaries, switchboard operators, librarians and shop girls. Although tailor-made suits for women first appeared in the 1890s, the suit of shirtwaist (blouse), dark skirt and jacket rose to prominence as a practical yet beautiful addition to any womanıs wardrobe. The Edwardian silhouette featured a full bosom, fictitious curves and fluff just above the feet. Underwear was more luxurious than ever, made from fine cottons with excessive trims. The bust bodice, an early brassiere, emerged to support the bust as the corset lowers over the hips.
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L: Pink cotton fabric with white mercerized cotton stripe, cotton net lace. c. 1903. Museum of the Rockies Collection.
C: Wool gabardine, silk velvet, silk braid, silk satin covered buttons. c. 1910. Museum of the Rockies Collection.
R: Ribbed silk, silk satin, lace, silk covered wire. c. 1913. Museum of the Rockies Collection.
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L: Cotton, featherbone, stays. c. 1905. Courtesy of the Montana Historical Society.
R: Petticoat and chemise cotton batiste, cotton lace, silk ribbon. c. 1905. Museum of the Rockies Collection.
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