Example Assignment

The pieces I’ve chose to compare and contrast are: from “One Thread, Many Hands” http://www.flickr.com/photos/30504447@N05/2858034023/ and “blog.mode” http://blog.metmuseum.org/blogmode/2007/12/24/hand-laundry/ . Both items are from the early to late 1900’s. The garments are similar in shape of the skirt. The trumpet and also the cone-shaped skirt were popular throughout the 1900’s. The two have very different silhouettes and textures. The picture selected from “One Thread, Many Hands” emphasizes an hour-glass silhouette, popular from the 1890’s until the early 1900’s and is made of taffeta material which has a very stiff and crisp texture. And the picture selected from “blog.mode” emphasizes a more linear silhouette because of the empire waist, also the texture is soft because of the cotton fabric. The drape of both are similar in certain aspects. While the “One Thread, Many Hands” garment is more structured on the bodice, the skirt has more ease and therefore drapes comfortably over the lower body this is true for the “blog.mode” garment as well.
During the time period of both garments examined an evolution of women’s fashion had begun; the “New Woman” era. The “New Woman” era represents the period when women’s fashion was transitioning from a more structured shape and corseted support to one that was more body conforming and embraced the ease of fabric through drape.

References
Eubank, K., Tortora, P. (2005). Survey of historic costume: A history of western dress. New York: Fairchild