American Women's Clothing from 1900

After the Civil War, grooming and tailoring improved. More variety could be seen in men and women's clothing. Women's skirts became narrower and appeared to be more cone-shaped than bell-shaped. Tiny waists were still in style and bustles began to be worn to extend the backs of gowns. Corsets pushed women's chests forward making them appear somewhat like the front of a pigeon. "Shirtwaists" became stylish. They were patterned after men's shirts. Clothing was often heavily starched.

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