Lesson Plan:
Turn-of-the-Century Fashion
Content Area: American History, Visual Art, Art History
Grade: 3rd-5th
Tech Needs: Whiteboard or Projector, laptop
Estimated Time: 50 min. Sessions, two days
Essential Question:
What can material culture tell us about fashion trends and textile production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Objectives:
1. Learning and thinking critically about the similarities and differences between the fashion industry at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries and the fashion industry at the moment.
2. Understanding the materials and techniques associated with producing textiles and garments at different times in history and regions of the world.
3. Analyze the purpose of practical garments.
4. Consider how clothing and accessories have helped (and still help) people express themselves.
Materials:
An introductory video on study.com using any Google login
White paper
Construction paper
Pencil
Composition books/journals
Glue
Scissors
Colored pencils
Optional: Fabric, fabric scissors, low-temperature hot glue
Learning Context:
Midwestern versus Victorian Fashion
The Victorian era was in full swing in Britain from 1837 to 1901. It was a time of changing fashion. Elaborate designs and intricate details characterized the clothing of this period. The Industrial Revolution highly influenced Victorian fashion. New materials like silk, cotton, and wool allowed for more intricate patterns. Women’s clothing during this period was tight, voluminous, and detailed with lace. Men wore tailored suits with high collars and top hats.
In contrast, the style of 19th-century midwestern America was more straightforward and practical. Clothing reflected harsh living conditions and was designed to withstand the terrain, weather conditions, and manual labor.
Men typically wore denim or canvas pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and boots. Hats were everyday accessories to protect from the sun. Women’s clothing was also practical, with long dresses from durable fabrics such as calico or wool. Bonnets were worn to shield their faces from the sun.
As time passed, fashion changed with growing settlements on the frontier. European styles became more popular, and trends became more accessible with the introduction of the railroad, leading to more ornate clothing for both genders.
Women still wore long dresses but now with higher necklines. Men now wore loose-fitting garments like blouses when they were not working.
Despite these differences, Victorian and 19th-century midwestern American fashion styles reflected their cultures and social norms. Wealthy people wore elaborate garments, while the working class wore plainer clothing.
Minnesota’s Golden Age of Fashion
Minnesota has a rich history in the fashion industry. Donaldson's Department Store was one prominent retailer in Minnesota’s fashion scene during this time. Founded in Minneapolis in 1883, Donaldson’s became one of the Midwest’s largest and most successful retailers. The store was known for its high-quality merchandise and innovative marketing strategies, such as offering personal shopping services and hosting fashion shows.
Additionally, Minnesota had a thriving garment manufacturing industry. Many factories were located throughout the state, producing clothing for both local consumers and national brands.
Minnesota Couture At The Turn Of The Century
Minnesota was rapidly growing and expanding at the turn of the century. The growth increased wealth and a desire for luxury goods, including fashionable clothing. European fashion trends, particularly from Paris, heavily influenced Minnesota couture (fashionable) at this time. The wealthy elite of Minnesota often traveled to Europe to purchase clothing directly from designers.
Fur was popular in Minnesota fashion at this time. Both men and women wore fur coats and fur hats. The harsh winters in Minnesota likely influenced this trend, as fur provided warmth and status.
Another popular Minnesota trend was intricate beadwork on dresses and accessories. Native American beadwork was part of Minnesota culture for centuries but became mainstream high-end fashion. Minnesota couture showcased its upper class’s wealth and luxury while incorporating elements unique to its region.
Lesson Sequence:
1. Introduction to the topic by reviewing the lesson context and Google Slides.
2. Watch this introductory video and take the quiz at the end as a class (use any Google login).
3. Have students imagine a “turn of the century” design. Tell them that they are now the designer. Have them write down the outfits they imagine in writing.
4. Next, have them write down 3+ design details that would be part of typical womenswear and 3+ details for typical menswear.
5. Dress up these turn-of-the-century mannequins on Jamboard. Don’t forget to make a copy of your virtual lookbook before you get started.
6. Assign students to a different decade and have them use the FIT website to determine which design elements were unique to that particular decade. Decades from the 19th century. Decades from the 20th century. Depending on class size, more than one student may research the same decade, or students may work in groups of 2-3.
7. Class Presentations: Have students share their writings, virtual lookbooks, and the information they learned about the decade they were assigned.
8. allow students to choose a fashion capital or designer they wish to study more. I usually allow them to choose a period. (Use the fashion presentation sign-up sheet to record what students are presenting. Only one student per topic.)
9. Pass out the packet “Fashion Report Assignment.”
10. As a review, students may play this fashion detective game.
Directions can be found on the site.
Extensions/Adaptations:
1. Pass out and review “Fashion Sketching” - the dos and don’ts.
2. Show students how to sketch using an overhead sketch body.
3. Now, have students freehand their sketches and add period-appropriate clothing.
4. If you have fabric and sewing materials, you can even have them make miniature or life-size versions of their looks.
References Cited
1897 Sears Roebuck & Co. catalog. New York, New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2007.
“Art Collection.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 1, 1AD. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/the-collection.
“Capitals, Designers & Common Fashion Terms.” Utah Education Network. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.uen.org/lessonplan/view/14736.
“FIT.” Home, June 8, 2023. https://www.fitnyc.edu/.
“The Latest from the StarTribune.” Star Tribune. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.startribune.com/.
“Minnesota Historical Society Homepage: Minnesota Historical Society.” Minnesota Historical Society homepage | Minnesota Historical Society. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.mnhs.org/.
“Prints & Photographs Online Catalog.” Library of Congress. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/.
“Revisión: Art in the Americas.” Minneapolis Institute of Art. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://new.artsmia.org/.
Sketches provided by Judith Rasband Organization by Margie Dobson and Becky Parkinson. “Fashion Sketch Booklet.” Cartoon, n.d.
Victorian Fashion Detective. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/sites/default/files/victoriancostume.pdf.