Vintage Images Of Edwardian Women's Fashion

King Albert Edward VII (1841-1910), was the successor to the English throne, when his mother Queen Victoria passed away, she lived 1819 -1901, and her reign ended 22 January, 1901. Edward's father was Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1819-1861). The Edwardian era of British history is said to span the brief reign of the fashionable and charismatic English King Edward VII between (1901 and 1910), nevertheless, many historians argue that the Edwardian era spanned 1901-1914, continuing beyond the death of King Edward VII, until the First World War in 1914.

The Edwardian Era

The Edwardian era (1901-1914) took place during the peak of British imperialism and was the last in British history to be named after a reigning monarch. The British Empire was once regarded as the world super power, and commanded great influence around the globe. Some historians choose to look upon the Edwardian era in a light-hearted and nostalgic manner, portraying it as a time when the British elite indulged in carefree events such as lavish tea parties, and leisurely outdoor activities, particularly during long summer days and romantic moon lit nights, which is a controversial and contrary view to the views of many other people around the globe.

The British Liberal Welfare Reforms (1906- 1914)

In the British political arena, the Liberals were triumphantly elected to power, in 1906, and proceeded to implement significant reforms, to name a few, the Education Act 1906, the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act 1907, the Old Age Pension Act 1908, and The National Insurance Act 1911, which was a compulsory health insurance that provided for workers earning below a certain level of wage, and included protection for the working class against loss of income relating to sickness or unemployment. Importantly, the Edwardian era witnessed the foundation of the British welfare state, and the rise of the British working class political party, the Labour Party.

British Imperialism

Throughout the Edwardian years there was discontent, poverty, and conflict in many different parts of the world. The ideology of imperialism was adopted by nations such as Germany, France, Japan, and Holland to name a few, but particularly the British, they possessed the most powerful navy in the world, and was also considered to be the most powerful nation in the world. However, the Germans and the United States were steadily becoming mightier players, as they raced to improve their economies and their military capabilities. At that particular time in history, the USA and Germany were regarded by the British government as the two possible great threats of the future.

The Second Boer War (1899-1902)

The Second Boer War occurred 1899 - 1902, at the end of that war the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed on May 31, 1902, between the South African Republic, the Orange Free State, and the British Empire. The term 'Boer' refers to a section of population originally from Holland, in conjunction with the Huguenots, a religious population of French protestants, who were originally from the 16th - 17th century, they settled in South Africa in the late 17th century, and their present-day descendants are the Afrikaners. The Orange Free State (Dutch) was an independent and sovereign Boer republic, which existed in Southern Africa (1854 -1902), and was under the British Empire suzerainty. The Second Boer War began after gold and diamonds had been discovered in the mountains of South Africa. And the union of South Africa was eventually founded by the British Empire, when the British government enacted the South Africa Act in 1910.

Edwardian Women's Fashion

Edwardian women’s fashion refers to the type of attire that was in style between the years, 1890 -1914, approximately. This period in history was also referred to by the French as La Belle Epoque (The beautiful era), when women’s fashion was greatly inspired by the influential French fashion designer Paul Poiret (1879-1944), whose work thrived during the early part of the twentieth century. In addition, 'The Gibson Girl' was a very popular fictitious illustrative female character, which was created by the talented American artist Charles Dana Gibson (1867-1944), whose creative art work had greatly contributed to women's fashion design during the Edwardian era.

As compared to the dark restrictive female garments and cumbersome under garments of the Victorian age, the Edwardian era of female fashion was seen as the long awaited liberation for many wealthy, self-indulgent, adventurous, and fashion conscious ladies. Adult female attire became far more elegant and natural looking, in relation to the previous Victorian era. Classically designed free-flowing gowns and dresses, often with drapery effects, became very popular during the Edwardian era. Long dresses and full-length skirts were often complimented with various stylish high necked blouses, which were frequently adorned with attractive laces and ruffles. The Edwardian era was also seen as the magical era of grandiose hats, as many female exhibitionists donned the extravagant and the spectacular with great pride and relish.