2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Shirtwaist and Skirt






Hats



Coney Island Girls

Diedrick Knickerbocker (Illustration in Washington Irving’s History of New York)




The Red Shoes (circa 1890’s)




Black Maria



The Elephant Hotel

Can you imagine how hot those shirtwaists would be in the summer with the high neck and long sleeves?

No, I cannot. I wouldn’t have survived.

I was thinking the same thing while reading the book, Robin. I'm surprised men and women weren't fainting from heat all the time.

I noticed in all of the pictures the women have some sort of necktie/bowtie on their blouse. I never knew that was a thing.

It’s the fashion of the Victorian era, which didn’t end until 1901. Gone were the old bosom-showing fashions. Buttoned up to the chin became the norm.

Having an unimaginably small waist became the norm too!!!

And just look at those hats!

Thanks for the visual arts; I'd forgotten some details. I remember that some people went so far as to put bloomers (leggings) on the legs of their pianos. They must have called them limbs, I suppose!

You’re welcome!

Added a Coney Island girls picture.

That elephant hotel is just bizarre. Who would think to make a hotel, or any building, in that shape?

I’d be frightened to go in it.

Veronica wrote: "I was thinking the same thing while reading the book, Robin. I'm surprised men and women weren't fainting from heat all the time."

They were! Or at least the women were and that's how we got the reputation as the weaker sex! Ridiculous!