1900-1910
The Victorian era drew to a close at the beginning of the Twentieth century, and it also brought with it the end, and beginning, of new fashions.
· Skirts and dresses were elongated at the back to form a train.
· Skirts silhouette: fitted and the hip using pleating & smocking
· Fullness in the skirt was only below the knee
· For decoration, techniques such as tucks, hem ruffles, lace insertions and buttons were used.
· In the daytime, ladies adorned high necked dressed and the chest was undefined, and the boning in the bodice would often finish below the waist.
· Bodices often presented wide cape-like collars that fell over the shoulders.
· Sleeves fitted from shoulder to elbow, with fullness from the elbow to the wrist.
· Double sleeves sometimes worn: small gathered under sleeve revealed at the wrist.
· Evening dresses much more daring: often worn off the shoulder with/without sleeves.
· Edwardian era began 1905.
· Small balloon sleeves.
· Nipped in waists not seen since 1895.
· Skirts were full, although the fabrics used were soft and allowed to drape.
· Paul Poiret revolutionised design – around 1906.
· Paul Poiret showed slim, straight skirts.
· Fewer undergarments worn.
· High boned collar disappeared.
· High waist/empire line grew in popularity.
· Lace/cord work/applique/beading/tucking/insertion were popular on gowns.
