The dress code of New York in 1919 was very different than today. The first thing that pops into mind when one thinks of the fashion trends of 1919 is the lack of colour.
Women wore dark and dull clothing to show their sorrow for the war and respect for the soldiers who died. Men also wore darker colors to represent their solidarity with women.
But that didn’t last long, the 1920s are often considered the era of excess. People were eager to spend money on things that they never had before, like cars, radios, and movies. The late 1800s and early 1900s were a time of change for the fashion world. Women started to dress more casually and would wear more comfortable clothes. The full skirt was popular during this time period, as it was seen as a sign of wealth.
Here you can download an original catalogue dated 1919. You can see by yourself that it was a transition period, skirts are long but not as long as they used to be and you can see the first signs of the flapper period that was to come.
