A cute 1908 photograph of four sisters from Winchester, Virginia. Note the big bows in the hair. This is the origin of the term "flapper," because big bows like this flapped in the breeze. When these girls grew up, they'd be the flappers of the 1920s because of this term from their youth.

At left is a circa 1908 photo of four friends in white.The gal in the second photograph is also pictured in the first photo on the far left. Note the different trims, bows, and hat styles. Beautiful!

This is a pattern for a May Manton nine-gore walking skirt. This pattern served as the chief inspiration and source for my 1909 "Beatrix" Walking Skirt pattern. Perfect to pair with the "Beatrix" Shirtwaist, "Beatrix" Jacket, or my Edwardian Walking Jacket pattern for an afternoon's stroll!

Here is a group of images from the March 1912 issue of La Mode. I love the full-color centerfold of fashions! Note the children's fashions as well. These are large images, so give them time to load after you click on them!

These images all come from the September 1911 Parisian La Mode and depict the "cutting edge" fashions of the day. Note the neo-Empire styles and the use of neckline fichus reminiscent of the Regency era. One page also features a pattern with instructions. Note the wedding dress and maid of honor dress designs!

Here's a lovely 1910 scarf ad from Every Woman's Magazine, featuring a fringed silk scarf, "the height of fashion." A wonderful accessory to make a comeback--scarves are so versatile!

I just love this circa 1910 photo of a young woman in a suit with her new puppies. The mother dog is lying down, and the the little pups are nursing. The girl has a picnic basket at her feet, and you can make out an automobile with a crankshaft on the front in the background. Isn't that a great expression on the young lady's face? Love her hat, too. Note the hatpin stuck through the crown.

Circa 1908-1910 photo of five ladies seated on a bench. The gal on the left has her coat on her lap. Look at those marvelous hats. I also love the vest and tie on the gal seated second from left.

Here is an illustration of two ladies in afternoon frocks from a 1910 issue of The Lady's Magazine. Note the extra wide hat crowns, made especially to accommodate the "Gibson Girl" hairstyles of the period.

Illustration of girls in "lingerie dresses" from a 1910 catalog. These were marketed for young ladies preparing for high school graduation. Beautiful! [Note: "Lingerie" dresses refer to gowns made from thin heirloom fabrics like voile and organdy, worn over intricate undergarments.]

Illustration of two girls in day dresses from a 1910 catalog in my collection. The one on the right is designed to look like it has a separate jacket, but it's part of the dress. The one on the left has a detachable "girdle" (sash).

An illustration of women's underpinnings from a 1910 catalog in my collection. Note in particular the "mono-bosom" brassieres in the upper left and right corners. My favorite, though, is the nursing corset just below the brassiere on the upper right. See how the little flaps unsnap for breasteeding?

Three pages of 1910 ladies' hats from a catalog in my collection. Note the fantastic plumes and varying brim widths.

Look at these 1910 hairstyles! All four of these came from the same issue of The People's Home Journal of 1910. The article which accompanied the photos noted that coronets of braids were back in fashion, as were "high Josephine curls" a la' the French Empire (English Regency). If you didn't have masses of hair, the article recommended some good sources for "tails," or human hair pieces matched to the wearer's hair color!

This is an 1910 Collier's illustration from a story that appeared in the magazine. Note the neo-Empire lines of the lady's dress, with the raised waistline and sash. The hairstyle is even reminiscent of the Regency period. The empire waist had a brief revival between 1911 and 1912.

This is actress Billie Burke in 1910. Most remember her as "Glinda," the Good Witch in the 1939 production of "The Wizard of Oz." But Billie was a well-loved stage actress long before she earned acclaim on the screen. I love this sweet portrait of her in her lovely gown, holding a large bouquet of flowers.

This is a lovely photograph of four friends posing in their everyday outfits. The gal standing at the back right has on a white lawn dress with tucks and is wearing a locket around her neck. The two ladies in front have on the plain, slimmer skirts of the early 1910s, but their "waists" (blouses) show the "pouter pigeon" bosom silhouette that came and went throughout the 1900s. Note the neat details on the skirt fronts--the triangular closure on the left-hand skirt and the tucks on the one at the right.

This is a lovely 1910 fabric ad for Flaxon white goods. Love the hat and all the whitework on the dress. Note the wonderful ruffles at the top of the sleeve.

Here are three ads for Pictorial Review patterns from a 1910 ladies' magazine. I love the slimming lines and attention to details. Note the embroidery and tucks. The S-bend silhouette has finally gone out of fashion, and the columnar corset has come into vogue.

Here are two 1910 pattern ads from a magazine. The first is a girl's day dress; the second is for "combinations" (underdrawers and corset cover).