Period Fashions Reference Library
1902 fashions

Summer Fashions
from The Delineator, June 1902

The following article was written in 1902 and shows many styles of fashionable clothing for ladies and misses of the Gibson Girl era.
(any pattern numbers, prices, or establishments mentioned are from the original article and are not advertising anything currently for sale)

summer styles title

The success of outing apparel lies in a smart appearance and in becoming lines, and while there is a vast assortment of materials appropriate for fashioning such costumes, it requires careful planning and the exercise of good taste and judgment to achieve the best results.
 
Cycling and golfing remain popular sports, and a costume suitable for either or both is practically a necessity. For actual service Scotch and English whip-cords and homespuns are particularly desirable, and cheviots in solid colors or invisible stripes, covert and Oxford suitings and mohair are also included in this line. The gray and tan shades are perhaps the most practical, but by no means are worn exclusively, as the various shades of blue and even black and black-and-white mixtures are in high favor. Costumes of this sort are usually made in the coat-and-skirt style, the former of the Eton or jaunty reefer type and the latter of gored shaping, in instep or comfortable walking length.
 
1890 hairstyles and combs Linen, crash, duck, piqué, Galatea and mercerized goods are employed for mid-summer outing suits, and white, though impractical in some respects, is in high favor, its excellent laundering qualities being a most important feature. Shirt-waists of cotton cheviot, madras, linen, Panama cloth and chambray—all beautified by the mercerizing process-are worn with both the cloth and wash suits, and in the latter they are frequently of the same material, contrast being achieved by the stock and belt that are essential accessories to all Summer dresses. Ginghams in the new zephyr weaves, in polka dots and stripes, also make particularly attractive shirt-waists for outing wear.
 
Bathing costumes constitute an important item in the Summer outfit, and for them there is no more popular material than brilliantine, on account of its water-shedding qualities. Black and white is a favorite combination for these suits. Serge and flannel are both highly recommended for bathing costumes, chiefy because of their warmth. An oil-silk cap, over which may be worn a fancy handkerchief, will protect the hair. 1890 hairstyles and combs
 
Cream-white serge, mohair and flannel are the fabrics best liked for boating or yachting suits, and when trimmed with contrasting color, silk or cloth, or white mohair or wool braid, they are charming. These materials are also extremely popular in royal and navy blue and may be brightened by bands of white or scarlet. A jaunty white straw sailor hat or yachting cap of white flannel or duck with patent-leather visor and gilt band is the appropriate headgear.
 
The athletic girl goes in for basket-ball with the other sports, and her costume for this pastime is fashioned from serge or flannel, usually in black or dark blue. It consists of a blouse and bloomers over which a short full skirt may be worn if preferred. A sash of silk or of soft woollen goods is generally added.
 

 
Low shoes of calfskin in black or tan, with a rather low, flat heel and round or bulldog toe, are worn for outing purposes, and fancy hose may also be selected, though those in dark plain colors or black are in better taste.
 
The following illustrations and suggestions will prove helpful to those planning outing garments.
 
1890 hairstyles and combs FIGURE No. 1 B.—Extreme good style marks this cycling suit, which consists of a short jacket and a skirt in instep length. The jacket is of the collarless Eton type, and the skirt of seven-gored shaping with pointed straps over the side-front seams. It is fashioned by pattern No. 5206, price 9d. or 20 cents, while the pattern used for the jacket is No. 5942, price 9d. or 20 cents. FIGURE No. 2 B.—The shirt-waist forming a part of this toilette is characterized by the “Gibson” shaping. The shirt-waist is cut by pattern No. 5915, price 9d. or 20 cents, while that employed for the skirt, which is in seven-gored style with a graduated, circular flounce, is No. 5803, price 9d. or 20 cents.
 
1890 hairstyles and combs FIGURE No. 3 B.—The one-button cut-away jacket that forms a part of this golfing suit will be particularly smart developed in scarlet cheviot, flannel or cloth, with collar and cuffs having an inlay of bright-green velvet. The skirt would be pleasing in white piqué or mohair. It is of three-piece shaping, with an inverted box-plait or gathers at the back; there may be three or fewer fitted bands, loose at the lower edges, around the bottom. The pattern used to shape this skirt is No. 5861, price 9d. or 20 cents, while that employed for the jacket is No. 6010, price 9d. or 20 cents.
 
FIGURE No. 4 B.—This smart suit is appropriate for shooting and will be equally attractive developed in a woolen or heavy linen or crash fabric, with machine-stitching or bands for decoration. The jaunty jacket is of the Norfolk shaping, with plaits laid on, and a belt and strap cuffs are pleasing features of the mode. It was shaped by pattern No. 5422, price, 9d. or 20 cents, while the skirt was made by pattern N0. 5091, price 9d. or 20 cents. The skirt is of five-gored shaping, having narrow side-gores, and there is an inverted box-plait at the back.
 
1890 hairstyles and combs FIGURE No. 5 B.—This misses’ basket-ball or gymnastic suit is shaped upon the lines characterizing that intended for elder wearers, and the same materials will be used to develop it. The pattern used to shape this costume was No. 4519, price 1s. or 25 cents.
 
FIGURE No. 6 B.—Pattern No. 4509, price 1s. or 25 cents, was used to cut this gymnastic costume, adapted in this instance for basket-ball. The blouse is of simple sailor shaping with sailor collar, and the bloomers are very full, being laid in side-plaits at the waist.
 
1890 hairstyles and combs FIGURE No. 7 B.—A charming boating or yachting suit is shown here made of mixed goods, with corded silk for the accessories. The back and fronts of shirt-blouse are made attractive by tucks, and the sailor collar gives breadth across the shoulders. The five-gored flare skirt carries out the “Gibson” suggestion by the plait at each side of the front. The patterns employed in developing this toilette were shirt-waist No.5936, price 9d. or 20 cents, and skirt No. 5916, price 1s. or 25 cents.
 
FIGURE No. 8 B.—An association of contrasting fabrics is suggested in this misses’ bathing suit, for which pattern No. 2907, price 10d. or 20 1890 hairstyles and combs cents, was used. The blouse has a square back and front yoke and a sailor collar, and is in one with the drawers. The skirt is a four-gored mode, and the sleeves may be in full-length, bishop or short puff style.
 
FIGURE No. 9 B.—Pattern No. 2921, price 1s. or 25 cents, was employed to shape this attractive bathing suit, which consists of a straight, full skirt and a combination blouse and drawers. The neck may be made high or slightly low, and the sailor collar extends in revers to the waist-line in front. Short puff sleeves are shown, though provision is made for those in full-length style.
 
FIGURE No. 10 B.—This new and very stylish bathing costume is known as the “Gibson” and is distinguished by the plaits crossing the shoulder seams in the blouse, and at each side of the front-gore in the three-piece skirt. A sailor collar and removable shield are other points of interest, though provision is made for a Dutch round or square neck with corresponding collar, and the sleeves maybe in full length or in short elbow bishop style. The blouse may be attached to the knickerbockers if desired. This suit, which will be alike becoming to slender figures or those inclined to stoutness, is fashioned from pattern No. 6055, price 1s. or 25 cents.
 
Figure No. 11 B.—This attractive suit intended for misses’ wear is cut by pattern No. 6056, price 9d. or 20 cents, and it is shaped upon the same lines that characterize the ladies’ suit in “Gibson” style. FIGURE N0. 6 B. —Pattern No. 4509, price 1s. or 25 cents, was used to cut this gymnastic costume, adapted in this instance for basket-ball. The blouse is of simple sailor shaping with sailor collar, and the bloomers are very full, being laid in side-plaits at the waist.
 
1890 hairstyles and combs 1890 hairstyles and combs 1890 hairstyles and combs

The Delineator, June 1902


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