White Shirtwaist / Lingerie Blouse

Clothing/Dress/Costume

-

The Recorded Image Project

Name/Title

White Shirtwaist / Lingerie Blouse

Entry/Object ID

RE-CL-2026-0008

Description

This lightweight white blouse represents the emergence of the tailored “shirtwaist” and lingerie blouse that became foundational to women’s dress at the turn of the twentieth century. Unlike heavily structured Victorian bodices, this garment is soft, washable, and designed to be worn separately from a skirt. The silhouette suggests wear over a corset and likely tucked into a gored skirt. The slight flare at the lower hem indicates it may have been worn loosely over the waistband rather than tightly fitted.

Use

Blouse

Category

1900's, 1890's, Early Edwardian, Late Victorian

Clothing/Dress/Costume Details

Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume

Blouse

Clothing Sex

Female

Textile Details

Fabric

Cotton

Color

White

Notes

Fabric Likely fine cotton lawn or possibly lightweight linen. Indicators: Sheer but structured weave Crisp hand Visible fine grain Slight translucency consistent with washable underblouses White cotton blouses became popular because they could be laundered frequently — a major shift from silk bodices that required delicate care. Pintucks The vertical decorative lines are: Machine-stitched narrow pintucks Evenly spaced Likely sewn using a tuck foot attachment (widely available by 1890s) Pintucks served both decorative and structural purposes, adding subtle shaping while reinforcing thin fabric. The pintucks appear on both front and back yoke area — indicating care in construction. Collar High band collar Slight curve to accommodate neck Buttoned closure at throat Possibly designed to hold detachable collar or lace collar overlay This was worn either alone or under a decorative collar, fichu, or brooch. Sleeves Moderately fitted Slight ease at upper arm Narrow cuff Subtle horizontal pintuck bands at lower sleeve The absence of extreme sleeve fullness suggests post-1897 dating. Closure Center-front placket Small mother-of-pearl buttons Likely machine-set buttonholes Pearl buttons were extremely common for lingerie blouses of this period.

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1895 - circa 1908

Time Period

Edwardian

Place

Continent

North America

Notes

American or European

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Date Examined

Feb 12, 2026

Notes

Minor discoloration visible Some stress along lower hem Slight wrinkling from hanging storage No visible major tears White cotton survives better than silk from this period.

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

The shirtwaist revolutionized women’s dress: Allowed mix-and-match wardrobes More affordable than full dress bodices Associated with the “New Woman” and increasing female workforce Became symbolic of middle-class modernity These blouses were worn: For daywear For office or teaching positions For bicycling and active movement Under tailored jackets They represent the democratization of fashion at the turn of the century.

Create Date

February 12, 2026