"Fashion Writers may talk of silks and satins as if they were
the everyday wear of all women- but, in reality, the dress in which
the husband and children see the wife and mother, at least
six days out of seven, is a print, and the silk, if it exists at all,
is only taken out of its folds for occasions,
and is quickly restored when the motive for
the unwonted display has ceased to exist."- Demorest 1884

As we search the internet and "fashion history" books we find that they are full
of the wondrous rich velvets, sumptuous silks, and delicate laces. But what was
the "fashion" for the thousands of women who were the wife and mother,
the pioneer woman, or the "working woman"?

Using clues from fashion magazines on "everyday" dress, period photos,
and Marna Jean's personal collection of 19th century working clothing,
we will examine and discuss what the differences were between those fashion plates
and reality, how paper patterns and dressmaker's systems helped bring fashion to the
working class, what types of fabrics were in use, exceptions to the "rules"
on construction, and some of the shortcuts made to "working class" clothing.

Class Dates
Spring Semester: Feb 1- April 30
Summer Semester: May 1- July 31

Work at your own pace- 6 lessons
Enrollment may be any time before 4 weeks before the class ends

Enroll Now

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Marna Jean Davis- Instructor
More on Shooting Star History Living History Programs
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