Costume suggestions for ladies attending the Centennial Dance Weekend

(Please be advised that the information below is included for those who particularly wish to dress in the style of the era. In the absence of historical costume, a long modern gown (for the ball) or modern blouse and mid-calf-length or longer skirt or ordinary dress (for Sunday) may be worn instead (gloves for dancing are still advised). Vintage costume is NOT required.)

This is the period of the Gibson girl. The silhouette of this era has been shaped by the introduction of a new corset which created an S bend to the figure. Dress is soft and feminine, created with soft flowing fabrics. The large puffed sleeves of the 1890s have disappeared, replaced by fitted or drooping sleeves, often with fullness at the elbow. Evening necklines are open and bodices are lightly fitted or gathered in the front, creating a pigeon breast silhouette. Skirts are trumpet shaped and flow softly over the hips, flaring at the hem, often with short trains. Embellishments are usually soft and frilly; ruffles are seen in abundance. Fabrics are usually soft silks such as chiffon, crepe, and satin or lightweight cottons such as voile. Trimmings of both superfine and heavier antique style lace are seen in abundance as well as rich trims of taffeta or velvet. Ornaments of rhinestones and velvet ribbon, often in contrasting colors, are popular. Past Patterns offers excellent patterns for corsets and other underpinnings of this era.

Illustrated instructions on how to achieve the poufy Gibson Girl hairstyle may be found here.

For the ball: From Harper's Bazaar, January 26, 1901: A ball gown is supposed to be, and really should be, the daintiest of all costumes. If intended for a young girl it need not of necessity be so elaborate in design as to look like a ceremonious state gown, nor should it be so elaborately made nor have so long a train as to interfere with dancing, but it is essentially full dress, and as such permits of a fanciful design to start with, rich trimming, and with much attention paid to what is becoming. Low neck and short sleeves are necessary for a ball gown, and even when a girls neck is thin she is not supposed to be correctly gowned if she has it and her shoulders covered. If she is very thin there can be folds of lace or soft illusion put around the top of the gown, that will veil the shoulders and hide their defects, and the sleeves may be nearly to the elbow; but the moment a guimpe is worn, that moment must be relegated to half-dress, or demi-toilette, as the French say. Pictures of a spectacular gown of this period are here. Please avoid dresses with trains, as they pose a danger on the dance floor.

For Sunday afternoon:

Day dress of this period can be either tailored and severe or soft, flowing and feminine depending on the time of day and activity. A day dress or separate blouse and long, flowing skirt would be appropriate for the afternoon. Either outfit would be high-necked with sleeves below the elbow. Suitable patterns include Folkwear's Gibson Girl Blouse (#205) and Walking Skirt (#209) or Edwardian Bridal Gown (#229). Past Patterns also has numerous suitable blouse patterns and at least one skirt. Illustrations by Charles Dana Gibson will give a general idea of the style.

Text and pictures for this page were provided by Catherine Bishop of Vintage Victorian.
More detailed information about women's costume of this period is available there.

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