Clothing: 1890 - 1910
In 1890 only some women's clothing was
available ready-made. Women were expected
to bind their bodies, using rigid, inflexible
corsets. Their hair was usually long, worn
up in a bun or pinned. Girls
wore ringlets or had their hair loose.
Being tidily dressed in public was a communal
value, across all ages and classes. Fashions
were common across age and class.
It was the quality and quantity of cloth,
the fit and accessories which acted
as markers of wealth. Sewing machines and
patterns were becoming available for home
sewing. Men dressed very formally at all
times, even at work. The suit, jacket,
tie and hat was a common 'uniform' for all
classes. The clothing industry was very
important to Dunedin's economy. In 1901
27% of Dunedin's workforce were employed
in the clothing industry with 80% of them
women.
This
two piece dress is a combination of black
silk fabric and white net and lace, puffed
sleeves and a slight bustle-backed skirt
and is typical of the mid-1890s. The
boned jacket and skirt outfit, purchased
in Glasgow, was probably quite expensive
since it has lavish self fabric furbelows
and velvet trim. (Otago Settlers Museum
Collection)
A
silk satin bodice and skirt with net lace
and braid trim are features of this day
dress. Although similar to the earlier
black dress, this has less boning in its
bodice, and a simpler, lighter skirt.
Mrs J.H. Walker wore this combination during
her time as Mayoress of Dunedin in 1909.
(Otago Settlers Museum Collection)
This
men's suit was standard day dress for a
middle-class man. The jacket has a
quilted lining, but the suit has no label
to indicate its tailor. (Otago Settlers
Museum Collection)
An
embroidered linen blouse and serviceable
gored black skirt, circa 1900. This
style became almost a uniform for young
working women and students. (Otago Settlers
Museum Collection)
Late
nineteenth century cotton drawers.
At this time the crotch seam was left open.
(Otago Settlers Museum Collection)
Edwardian
petticoat of cotton with cotton lace.
The flounces at its lower edge helped hold
the flared shape of the skirt worn over
it. (Otago Settlers Museum Collection)
Delicate
and decorative as well as useful in hiding
the shape of the corset underneath and protecting
the outer garments from the body.
Cotton, circa 1900. (Otago Settlers Museum
Collection)
By
the time this hand operated Singer sewing
machine was manufactured circa 1892-3, Singer
had established a long tradition of sewing
machine production. The man whose
name has become synonymous with sewing machines,
Isaac Merritt Singer, produced his first
machine in 1850. By 1890 Singer had
made nine million machines. (Otago Settlers
Museum Collection)
[Next:
1910 to 1920]
|