Lily Elsie, Fashion c. 1913: Make this look

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0o7wvWPdOC8j4P9McyS4BZZP1_l6MJpZrccMwFCkfvfIgNE7TGPbI3zIDuCC2TB_Y0UeSaWzrqKMB27wdSLvqI5BXQnvR9HCukSeCSh4R8Jn2AawqleFAULt2v_ioXbg64_xtospzGys/s1600/Lily+Elsie.+c.1913.+LOC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0o7wvWPdOC8j4P9McyS4BZZP1_l6MJpZrccMwFCkfvfIgNE7TGPbI3zIDuCC2TB_Y0UeSaWzrqKMB27wdSLvqI5BXQnvR9HCukSeCSh4R8Jn2AawqleFAULt2v_ioXbg64_xtospzGys/s400/Lily+Elsie.+c.1913.+LOC.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><br />This gorgeous photo dates from about 1913. It is a portrait of the English actress, Lily Elsie, who would have been about 27 years old at the time.<br /><br />Miss Elsie wears an evening ensemble that is typical of the period: Grecian inspired hairstyle with waves and curls, head band and feather (this look is often mistaken as a 'flapper' style), high waistline (also Grecian) with floating tunic panels over the skirt.  Her arm is also tied with a draped scarf or lace panel.  She holds a fan and wears both long and short necklaces. To get this look, she would have worn a long corset that probably reached to her lowest hip level, creating the rigid pose.<br /><br />For us, this fashion ensemble can inspire wedding and evening styles with softer elegance, drapery and a Grecian  silhouette.  <br /><br />This authentic photo is from the Library of Congress archives, and may be found <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Bain%20Collection%20-%20Reproduction%20number:%20LC-DIG-ggbain-13720"><b>online</b></a>, in the Bain Collection.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv3TqRj4dp0bLG9yBC-mC4PllfQWiLPE-cZ7xC2a6_fsxOAl6L8rz0nZB3igMq7P_kV6tvHclWbpA5SohN4DmjV09YVUTqCjldRjAG78viQtICzyNOrQJo0oRUmULh8IOUVhpoEXI83_o/s1600/Mccalls.+6030.long+gown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv3TqRj4dp0bLG9yBC-mC4PllfQWiLPE-cZ7xC2a6_fsxOAl6L8rz0nZB3igMq7P_kV6tvHclWbpA5SohN4DmjV09YVUTqCjldRjAG78viQtICzyNOrQJo0oRUmULh8IOUVhpoEXI83_o/s400/Mccalls.+6030.long+gown.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />Want to make this look?  Creating a similar gown today starts with a simple high waist gown pattern. This version of the classic "Empire" style is a good start. McCall's 6030 has a look that can be used as a basic gown and it even has a floating overskirt. During the 1910's, this overskirt would be cut at mid-length or even shorter to achieve a tunic effect. The sleeves can be modified to become draped or tied.<br /><br />One of the key elements was the use of ultra soft textiles: charmeuse, chiffon, net lace and gauze.  These soft fabrics were often layered to create the romantic, floating silhouettes from that era we love so much today.

Lily Elsie, Fashion c. 1913: Make this look

This gorgeous photo dates from about 1913. It is a portrait of the English actress, Lily Elsie, who would have been about 27 years old at t...

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