Here are two original 1920s Lucile designs by Lady Duff-Gordon. These images were generously given to me by Randy Bryan Bigham, who authored the first full-scale biography of Lucile. Please see my Lucile Page for more about Lady Duff-Gordon and her designs! (Sketches through the Fashion Institute of Technology.)

This is a super 1920s frock pattern for a simple, everyday dress, perfect in linen, cotton or other summery fabrics. Thank you to Tuesday's Child for the loan!

This is an early 1920s undersleeve pattern. I think the styles are truly delightful, and it demonstrates how ladies used accessories to change the look of their dresses. A woman could build a really creative wardobe with just a few key dresses or separate and a range of inexpensive accessories.

This is a 1925 tailoring manual illustration. Note the stylized, sleek hair on the lady and the very flat-chested mannequin. No, it's not a male mannequin! Women wore chest-flattening corsets and bras at the time to get that flat, boyish silhouette.

This is a 1925 menswear catalog featuring the latest suits. I loved the cover and had to scan it to share the woman's very "together" outfit.

Here is a cute shot of four friends sitting on the running board of a brand new Ford. Written on the back of the photo are the girls' names and, underneath, "Emma's new Ford." Note the "Buster Brown" haircuts and demurely crossed feet. I love the white play dresses!

Drop-waist 1920 day dress with bodice insert and long sash. After WWI, women's clothing became far less restrictive and complicated and far more practical. The fitting is easy and comfortable, but the femininity is still there with the sash, full sleeves, and pretty collar.

Early 1920s women's dresses from a catalogue. The transition has been made to the dropped waist, but you still see the long hairstyles and skirts. The flapper look hasn't hit yet.

A beautiful girls' 1920s coat pattern for a little girl. I love seeing the colors! Like their mothers, even little girls are wearing the stylish cloche hats.

Illustration of blouses from a 1904 fashion circular. Scrumptious! This is the decade of tucks-a-plenty and lace in profusion, including on the underthings.

A 1904 bolero dress from a fashion circular. Note all the detailing at the sleeves and neck. The "S"-bend corset is still in vogue, though it will go out of fashion in about five years when the more columnar look comes into style.

This is a ca. 1904 bed jacket pattern for young ladies. This is what a lady would pull on in the morning while she was doing her hair or eating breakfast (if she didn't wear a breakfast gown). It also kept clothes neat while she styled her hair.

Here are several girls' day dresses from a 1904 fashion circular. When you view ladies' outfits from the same year, you can see how girls' things parallel what was available for women--just with shorter skirts. At this early date, the leg o'mutton sleeve was still hanging on from the 1890s, but mainly for younger girls.

A pattern for a ladies' combinations: corset cover and drawers with drawstring waist. This is ca. 1908 and is much simpler than the voluminous drawers of the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras.

1904 "combinations" for a young girl, circa 1904. These combined drawers and undershirts into one garment, with a drop seat in the back that buttoned closed.

This is an absolutely incredible early 1900s ballgown by Frederick Worth. His designs are the ultimate in style, detail, and fit. This is a pre-1905 evening gown with layer upon layer of rich fabrics, trims and floral accents. Definitely drool-worthy!

This is a scrumptious 1904 wedding gown which belonged to the great-grandmother of one of my customers. It is made entirely of Brussels lace. On the left is the gown on the mannequin. In the center is the bride wearing the gown. On the right is the bride with her matron of honor (whose "Titanic"-style dress I made). Wouldn't you have given your right arm to see the wedding gown up close? Breathtaking!

A 1903 portrait by John Singer Sargent of Mrs. Fiske-Warren and her daughter. I love the look of this early 1900s tea gown with its pigeon bust and lavish skirt. I just wish Sargent had given us some more details of this heavenly dress!

I always enjoy finding pictures of friends together. This is one of my favorites. I only wish it was a little clearer and that it had not been creased. It's such a neat shot of two girls who obviously enjoy spending time together. The one on the right has a pretty parasol, and notice the button detailing on her skirt.

These three ladies are from the Eaton side of my family, so they are distant cousins or aunts. This photo was taken between 1900-1905. I wish someone had written on the back of the photo so I could identify these gals! Looks like a mother and two daughters to me.