Here is an “early” brassiere. Interestingly, it has straps to attach to your skirt and your hose supporter. Although fashion likes to credit the Edwardian era through 1910s with the invention of the bra, this certainly is breast support of the same type. I find this 1898 example quite fascinating!
Although not called “brassieres”, breast support has been around for centuries. Make sure you check out Marion McNealy, Rachel Case, and Beatrix Nut’s project of the Lengberg finds, including the bra for an early extant example from the 15th century.
The following is from the page “Side-Talks With Girls” by Ruth Ashmore, July 1898
Here’s some of her tips for beauty, fashion, and other odds and ends.
Of course, take the suggestions with a grain of salt, as they were written to women well over a hundred years ago. But it is a fascinating look back. These are for historical reference and study *only*.
Steaming the Face, if indulged in too often, causes the pores to distend, and one experiences much trouble in forcing them to close Washing the face regularly, using a good soap and being careful as to your diet and the exercise taken, will do more to keep your skin firm and white than all the lotions and cosmetics that were ever made.
A White Silk Parasol that is very much soiled cannot be cleaned by an amateur so that no trace of the process is left. I would advise you, if your parasol is a handsome one, to send it to a cleaner.
At a Large Dinner Party a young girl would look well in a gown of white chiffon, trimmed with white taffeta ribbon, made with a surplice bodice, having wrinkled, close-fitting sleeves coming far down on the arms, and ending in soft ruffles.
Ruffled Skirts will undoubtedly be worn during the entire Summer. Those of black organdy made up over colored silk are extremely effective. Almost every woman has an old silk dress which she can use for the foundation, since the ruffles are so many that barely a glimpse of the color is gained. The fashionable dressmaker either hems the ruffles by hand, or, prettier still, hides the hemming altogether by edging each one with a row of black velvet baby ribbon. The stock and belt of such a dress are usually of velvet matching the foundation color.
Some Points of Etiquette. When making calls the light collation offered in the form of tea or ices, sandwiches or small cakes may be accepted without any expression of thanks. If you are the guest of honor at a dinner, and served first, you retain the plate given you, and do not offer it to the lady seated next to you. Well-bred women always preface a request to a servant with the word “Please.” After a visit where different friends gave special entertainments in your honor it would only be courteous upon your return home to write each one a special note of thanks for adding to the pleasure of your visit. When a card is handed to the servant who opens the door it is not necessary to leave another card. If the lady of the house has no maid, and opens the door herself, and on leaving you see no special card-receiver, make some laughing remark, reminding her of the necessity of her returning your visit, and place your card in any convenient place.