Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Gibson Girl in the Garden

I have been entranced by the figure of the late 19th to early 20th century Gibson Girl since I first spied a Charles Dana Gibson illustration while doing my degrees in Victorian Literature and Culture.  Since I've got a couple of Edwardian pieces that I will be going up in the shop shortly, I thought I would practise my best S-bend (sans corsette) and Gibson Girl gaze in the garden today.  In the end, while it was so fun to try to channel the likes of Camille Clifford or Gabrielle Ray, there is just no question that style-wise, I'm a 30s girl through and through (in case you hadn't noticed). It's such fun to try on clothing from other decades, though.  One really is reminded of how the different styles of clothing require totally different postures and carriage.   Anywhoo, if you are interested in the Edwardian vintage blouse or dress in the photos, don't hesitate to convo via Adeline's Attic Vintage for more info or to reserve!















17 comments:

JGO said...

I absolutely LOVE the daily fashion of 1915. Thanks for this post. You look gorgeous modeling the blouse and dress.^_^

Marie said...

What gorgeous pictures! You look perfect in the lacy finery.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

Kori said...

I too love the Gibson Girl "look." Reminds me of all those all vintage cola ads! Kori xoxo

Andrea said...

Intriguing post! Love the Gibson Girl too. Was quite excited to come across your blog as there are not too many out there dealing with the thirties which is my favourite vintage era too or other even earlier decades . . .

esme and the laneway said...

Gorgeous pics! I love big hair, and those Gibson girls sure had some height!

B-b-b-etty said...

I remember in Road to Avonlea when Felicity is in love with an old guy and tries to fix her hair more like a gibson girl! damn i love Road to Avonlea.

And i love the fashion, plain skirt and then a beautiful blouse and oh that waist!

MarieBayArea said...

your lace blouse is the best!

garofit said...

I admire Edwardian style very much, I once came across this amazing dress on Ebay, but shied away from it as I couldn't imagine any occasion to wear it.
Later eras clothing is easier to wear as you can incorporate it in your wardrobe and 21st century life in a way that doesn't look costumy (and even if you wear vintage only, it's still very different I think), but with Edwardian and Victorian clothing that's an impossible mission. Admittedly you could wear the occasional blouse, and perhaps a lacy dress for a wedding or a christening, but that would be it, and for the rest it would have to be very specially themed events or the simple pleasure of display.
I love the tiny waists, the buttoned up bodices, the ruffles, the laces, the fantastic hats and most important, the impressive hair. Ah, why didn't I work in the theater or something!

BaronessVonVintage said...

I agree: impressively grand bouffantes and chignons!

Betty Lou: Oh, that's right. I had forgotten about that episode!

Definitely agree about the fact that it can be a bit trickier to work the Edwardian style as an everyday look. The blouse does look fantastic paired with suits from later decades, etc.

Hurrah for the glorious Gibson girl, though!

Francy said...

Oh, you look really amazing in that blouse!

Louise said...

Lovely.
Isn't it fascinating how standards of beauty change? The Gibson Girl was particularly lovely, though rather unattainable without ridiculous underwear. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

Who says you can't wear Edwardian on a daily basis. Shoot, I don't need an occasion, just incentive to put on the look. But that's just me. I've been known to wear cocktail dresses to the grocers, just because I got a bee in my proverbial bonnet.

I love your new additions that you'll soon add to your store. I will keep my peepers peeled, as they say.

D-

Carys said...

You definitely suit Edwardian fashion too, you're so versatile!! You make a difficult era to suit look completely wearable, and I love the amazing detail in the lace of your shirt!!!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

BaronessVonVintage said...

Darlene, in the late 90s, when I was in the thick of Victorian studies, I have to admit that I had a winter hat, a coat, boots, skirt, blouses that were all REALLY Edwardian and that I used to wear ALL the time, often in combination. Nowadays, I'm still drawn to the beautiful cameos and mourning jewelry of this period, but I"m just too much of a flapper to want to wear the longer heavier Edwardian pieces that I used to wear all winter long back in the wilds of Alberta ;)

Aw, Carys, thank you. That blouse is really intricate..and rather delicate, but I just couldn't leave it behind, so into the shop it shall go!

Stefanie Valentine said...

I love the s-bend!! I have just tried it myself now, much more difficult to achieve than it looks! I love Edwardian and Victorian clothing, I just wish it was a bit more practical. Lovely lacy blouse though!

lauren said...

That quintessential Gibson girl is Evelyn Nesbit, you should read a book called American Eve, you'd love it.

BaronessVonVintage said...

Oh, I recall Nesbit was the model for Gibson's "Eternal Question" drawing. Nesbit was murdered by her husband, wasn't she? MUST read this book. THANKS!