Exhibit: Fashioning The New Woman 1890-1925

I was recently contacted by Dana Goodin, historic costume intern at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, about their feature exhibit on women's clothing during the Progressive Era. Fashioning the New Woman explores the many major changes that impacted women's wardrobes at the turn of the century and well in to the raucous, liberating "jazz age". 

As this is one of my favorite periods in clothing history I was very excited and intrigued to dig in to this exhibit. While not able to make the trip to DC this summer, I found several wonderful online sources most helpful in experiencing the exhibit from home. Lizzie Bramlett of The Vintage Traveler gives a lovely review on her blog; Bramlett makes note that she prefers clothing exhibits with "an historic perspective" and I must say I agree! Context is crucial for any exhibit, and fashion should not be an exception, as is unfortunately the case, it seems, more often than not. 

The DAR appears to have done an amazing job at contextualizing undergarments, sportswear, evening-wear and everyday attire as it reflected the major changing roles of women during the Progressive Era. The exhibit features a range of beautiful examples of iconic womanswear, from gorgeous couture from The House of Worth, WWI nursing uniforms, collegiate attire, and clothing worn by suffragettes.

Dana was kind enough to send along installation photos from this past fall. Check them out below and make sure to review the exhibition online here!

Photo credit: courtesy Dana Goodin

Fashioning the New Woman: 1890-1925 is on view at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington DC through August 31, 2013.