A NEW CENTURY --- EDWARDIAN SKIRTS AND DRESSES

As the century changed so changed clothing design trends. Gone was the bustle (a pad at the rear end) and heavy fabrics of the previous century, A new, lighthearted concept overtook women's fashions along with a sentiment of eternal summer with dresses made of light weight fabrics for a more active lifestyle.

The 2 pieces dress came into vogue. Skirts hung tight at the hips and flared at the hem, creating a trumpet or lily-like shape. Skirts in 1901 had decorated hems with ruffles of fabric and lace. Some dresses and skirts featured trains. Tailored jackets, first introduced in 1880, increased in popularity and by 1900 tailored suits became hugely popular.

By 1904 skirts became fuller and less clingy. In 1905 skirts fell in soft folds that curved in, then flared out near the hemlines. From 1905 to 1907 waistlines rose. In 1910 the hobble skirt was introduced, a tight fitting skirt that restricted a woman's stride.

 Linderie dresses, or tea gowns, mafe of soft fabrics, festooned with ruffles and lace were worn indoors.

(Info from Edwardian Fashion Trends)