Here are two 1902 Howard Chandler Christy illustrations from an edition of An Old Sweetheart of Mine by James Whitcomb Riley. Christy was renowned for his magazine covers at the turn of the century.

This heavenly Edwardian tea dress was sold on eBay by USVainen, a past seller whose knowledge of vintage fashion was astounding and whose descriptions were delightful. This seller graciously agreed to let me share her images and words on my site, and I think you'll enjoy them as much as I have!

Princess-Style Promenade Gown: In the middle of Spring in 1907, Paris design houses were further streamlining fashions so that the lines of the dresses were fluid from shoulder to hem. Tightly cinched waistbands from the first part of the decade had been discarded in favour of princess and empire-style lines.

This is the cover and one page from a 1908 Standard Fashions newspaper insert. The "pouter pigeon" bosom silhouette was on its way out by this time, but the "S" curve figure still held on for several more years.

I love this ca. 1904 portrait photo of a young lady with a beautiful lace collar over her dress. If you check the post with the blouses from the 1904 fashion circular, you'll see a similar lace collar.

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!

This dress was designed with the 1909 fashion aesthetics: very tall willowy figure with a marked waist sash. This style is the transition from the over-endowed Gibson Girl to the waistless silhouette shapes of the next 4 years. The silk is very sturdy and fortunately is unweighted (weighted silks tend to disintegrate prematurely and lasts the years only with extreme care). I do not see any shattering at all with this thin and elegant material.

These images come from the May 1912 issue of La Mode, which included a pattern for a lady's coat. There is also a cover for the September 1912 issue. These are large images, so give them time to load after you click on them!

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?

Last summer Gabrielle and I sewed ourselves some Wives & Daughters [Romantic Era] dresses. My sister, Gabrielle, made a dress that reminded us of Molly, while I sewed myself a dress that reminds you of Cynthia.