Aug 19, 2017 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)

In the late 1800s, it was the fashion for local newspapers to run a very detailed 'Personals' column, which announced the comings and goings of all the local residents. Who was traveling where, the name of a visiting cousin, where someone was going on holidays… all this was published for public consumption. And among the topics of great social interest was: what were the women wearing?

This trend of publishing personal information in the daily news was no doubt due, at least in part, to the limitations of modes of travel. The effort it took to travel from Greenwood to Penticton, what to speak of Toronto, was significant and therefore newsworthy.

Likewise, transport was a limiting factor in the movement of goods. So it's quite amazing to read the many turn of the century reports of the extensive inventory of merchandise that made its way to the Boundary and onto Greenwood store shelves. Far more goods were available here in 1899 than today. Of course, not only was the population larger — approx. 3,000 in 1899 — but Greenwood was the economic hub of the entire Boundary, and was a center for all the area's big mercantiles.

Even a quick flip through the archives of the Boundary Creek Times will show the reader that much more emphasis was given to fashion for men. Both in terms of advertisements and mentions in the Personals, what men were wearing in 1800-1900s Greenwood was a topic of regular conversation. The nattily dressed man, from head to toe, was much discussed and catered to. While women were also enticed with advertisements for new clothing coming into stores, their couture seems to have gotten only half the coverage.

One of the most interesting reports we've seen describes the pinnacle of women's fashion, as put on display at a Spring dance held by the Greenwood Curling Club, in 1905._[1] The reporter obviously went to great lengths to interview as many ladies as possible, to discover exactly what it was they were wearing. The list of fine fabrics and ornamental lovelies comprising each dress tells us a lot about the range of fine women's fashion being worn in early Greenwood.

Circa 1900 silk ball gown

CURLING CLUB DANCE
The Social Event of the Season

The second annual ball of the Greenwood Curling club in Masonic hall Monday night proved to be the social event of the season. There were upwards of fifty couples in attendance. Thanks to the excellence of the arrangement the affair passed off without a hitch. The music furnished by Bush's orchestra was excellent, while the programme comprised the most popular dances.

An interesting feature was the presence of a number of ladies from Grand Forks. The visitors expressed themselves as delighted with the courtesies extended them and declared that the dance was one of the most delightful functions they had ever attended in the Boundary.

The ballroom was prettily decorated with bunting and green and illuminated with shaded electric lights presented a most artistic effect. … The dresses of the ladies were beautiful, many, of them being triumphs of the dressmaker's art. Regret is expressed that the description of these dresses is not more complete.

At midnight an excellent supper, provided by the wives of the married curlers, was served upstairs. The supper room was tastefully decorated. A long table laden with dainty salads, etc., extended down the centre, while the guests occupied smaller tables arranged on either side. A display of plants and cut flowers added to the aesthetic effect.

Among those present were Mrs. McMynn who wore a handsome white taffeta; Mrs. Bishop, a dainty nun's veiling, Mrs. Allison, black net over silk; Miss Warren, a dainty white organdie over blue taffeta silk; Mrs. Mathison, a pretty black gown trimmed with honitan lace; Mrs. Rendell, black net over silk with sequins; Mrs. A. B. W. Hodges, Grand Forks, looked charming in cream etamine trimmed with silk cluny and sequins over Nile green taffeta, ornaments, pearls and diamonds; Mrs. T. H. Rea, Grand Forks, black net trimmed with sequins over silk taffeta, ornaments, diamonds; Mrs. W. A. Williams, Grand Forks, cream silk trimmed with real lace; Mrs. Elvie Taylor, Los Angeles, Cal., looked sweet in cream silk trimmed with cream satin ribbon and faggoted yoke; Mrs. Warren, grey voile over silk taffeta and looked decided smart; Miss English, crushed strawberry satin; Mrs. McAllister, pale yellow silk with black lace; Mrs. Fair, black net over silk; Miss West wore a dainty cream gown and looked decidedly chic; Mrs. Elkins, black net over taffeta silk; Miss Wood, a dainty cream voile; Miss Goddard, white organdie; Mrs. Shaw, cream with pale-blue velvet shoulder straps; Mrs. Williams, white organdie with chiffon; Miss Martin, a. dainty cream gown; Miss Whiteside, black net over taffeta silk; Mrs. McLaine, black lace over satin; Mrs. Ehrlich, pongee silk; Mrs. Keffer, black silk skirt and cream silk waist; Mrs. Gray, Montreal, a beautiful grey voile with lace to match; Mrs. (Dr.) Simmons, black voile over silk taffeta with silk to match; Miss Schon, black satin; Miss Schon, white organdie; Mrs. Grierson, black silk; Mrs. Coles, pink organdie; Mrs. W. T. Hunter, black silk; Mrs. Stephens, black voile over silk; Mrs. Hodge, blue cashmere with cream applique; Miss Courtney, cream silk voile.

Early 1900s silk ball gowns

Women's fashion in the late 1800s, like architecture, experienced quite a renaissance as the Victorian and Edwardian influences waned, and more relaxed garments came into style. This passage from the Vintage Fashion Guild_[2] describes the London fashions, which found their way to western Canada both through export and local clothing manufacturers following the all-important English trends.

"The [post-Edwardian] retro look quickly faded in favor of the revolutionary designs of Paul Poiret. He quickly became the most prominent fashion designer in Paris. He showed slim, straight skirts and insisted on fewer undergarments. Due to his decrees, the high boned collar disappeared and women's corsets were loosened, allowing them literally to breathe a sigh of relief. This new freedom made it possible to sport a higher-waisted look and Poiret's empire line was popular. Most representative of the period were the amazingly detailed and superbly constructed gowns. These gowns featured lace, cord work, applique, soutache, beading, tucking and insertion — very often on the same gown!"

Many of the embellishments described above are also found in the report of what Greenwood ladies were wearing at this time.

Fashion Sheet of Winter hats

Fashion Advertising

Our historic newspapers are full of interesting fashion ads placed by local retailers. One of the most popular forms of advertising were the Fashion Sheets provided by clothing manufacturers and distributors to local merchants carrying their lines. Basically a catalog tear sheet, the Fashion Sheets offered a collection of illustrations previewing the newest fashions. Rendell & Co. promoted them regularly:

"Call at Rendell & Co. and get a Standard Fashion Sheet for the month of June. It will interest you if you have any dressmaking to do."

"Standard Fashion Sheets: Showing the latest styles for Summer wear are given away free by Rendell & Co. Call and get one."

Fashion Sheet from Simpson Canada, 1908 Women's Fashions catalogue

Boundary Creek Times fashion advertisement

Boundary Creek Times fashion advertisement

Boundary Creek Times fashion advertisement

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Boundary Creek Times — March 10, 1905, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172406#p3z-4r0f:

[2] Vintage Fashion Guild
https://vintagefashionguild.org

RELATED READING:

Illustrated Timeline of Women's Fashion, 1784 to 1970
http://mymodernmet.com/womens-fashion-history/