Historical Fashion: Edwardian/Art Nouveau (1900-1920)
Men's clothing differed little from preceding period, although a trend towards less formality continued. A square silhouette (broad, padded shoulders and straight body) was typical. New inventions like the zipper (for shoes) and rayon (for hosiery) found their way into fashion. Women's clothing softened, sleeves became more modest, and a soft, triangular silhouette developed. Later the triangular skirt became cylindrical, producing a narrow, rectangular silhouette. Bodices and skirts were more commonly combined into one-piece dresses, and lighter construction was used. Tailored looks became more popular. Top fashion designers such as Paul Poiret experimented with unusual silhouettes. Soft fabrics like crepe, charmeuse, chiffon, and batiste were popular for tea dresses and evening gowns. Dresses made of lace, or embroidered cotton combined with lace, were fashionable for warm weather. Firmer fabrics such as wool and cotton duck were used for tailored wear.















