Edwardian Gowns

Edwardian gowns became less rigid during the turn of the early twentieth century. Even though high-end women’s fashion of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century restricted movement for women, many upper-class women still enjoyed walking, sporting, and riding in automobiles. This was largely made possible through the absence of the bustle of previous decades which allowed more freedom of movement. Dresses became narrower and slimmed-down with less folds and layers of previous dresses. Walking dresses were shorter with women wearing simple, buttoned boots or comfortable or slippers for leisurely walking. Women wore black stockings during the day and evening stockings were white. There was more emphasis on simplicity in Edwardian fashion with single skirts. With single-layer Edwardian gowns that enforced the waist and hips, there was also a wider hem-line. This gave way to fullness at the back which placed more emphasis on the famous S shape womanly figure that came to define the Edwardian era. Capes, shawls and cloaks became more popular instead of mantles and coats due to such wide shoulder and arm sleeves. Coats that were worn often included fur collars for the winter to complete Edwardian gowns. An Edwardian woman wore kid-skin gloves regardless of season and an upper class woman could not be seen without a parasol to keep the sun at bay from her pale skin. In early Edwardian fashion ideal, paleness in skin signified nobility since upper class women did not have to work in the hot sun. It was not until the twenties that tanned skin became synonymous with having the means to vacation in exotic areas around the world.