'Early 1900's Gibson Girl Outfit

Here is a typical outfit for a Gibson Girl look, c. 1905. This is actually a rather casual outfit that would be worn by a high school or college girl, or a young woman working in an office. (Betsy-Tacy fans could easily imagine Betsy and her friends, and their teachers, wearing outfits just like this at Deep Valley High in 1907!) The "blouse" is one of our lovely cotton batiste waists, trimmed with lots of lace and tucks, a high collar, and buttons up the back.

The simple 7-gore skirt is wool, with a silky poly lining. Under the skirt is one of our delicious taffeta petticoats just dripping with lace! The belt is borrowed from a pair of inexpensive slacks purchased in a discount store. Any belt will do, as long as it looks old-fashioned. At the turn of the last century, women always wore some kind of belt or "girdle" (a piece of fabric sort of like a man's modern tuxedo cummerbund) at their waist. We show our skirts without the belts so you can see the whole skirt, but for an authentic complete outfit, the belt is a must.

Anyway, we love this look...cut a few inches off the skirt and it would look sensational at the office even today, don't you think? It is very comfortable and wearable for theme events, especially if you are just not ready for the huge hoop skirts of the 1860's.