Staying Warm-Coats of the 1900s-1930s

Engagement Days by Harrison Fisher (1905)

Winter fashions have changed through the years. But what hasn't changed is that women (and men too!) need to stay warm, and want to look stylish at the same time. Today, I am  highlighting some popular winter looks from the 1900s to the 1930s.

The illustration above is from a 1905 romantic postcard by Harrison Fisher. The woman is hiding snowballs from her unsuspecting fiancee. She is wearing a hat and gloves, but appears have on a heavy woolen sweater, rather than a coat. He is wearing a long overcoat, and is keeping his hands in his pockets to stay warm. The illustration below is a 1909 magazine cover, also by Harrison Fisher. The woman in this picture is following a trend of the times which seems odd and even repulsive now. She is carrying a fox fur muff, with an actual fox head as part of the design. Similar mink and fox head stoles remained fashionable until the1950s, and can still be found online and at vintage shops.

Magazine Cover by Harrison Fisher (1909)

Fashionable Lady With Mink Stole (1930s)

Fur coats, collars and accessories were very popular in the early 20th century, both for warmth and for style. This photo of Jack Johnson, who became the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion, and his wife Emma, shows them dressed at the height of winter fashion in 1910. She is both carrying a fox muff and wearing a fox stole over what appears to be a fur coat. He has a beautiful fur collar on his wool coat, and may also be wearing a fur hat.

Boxer Jack Johnson and his wife Etta (Photo by E. Chickering- Courtesy of Library of Congress)

The images below show young women of the period dressed in furs. Of course, fur coats were expensive and not practical for everyday wear, but they conveyed style and elegance. Faux furs and other synthetic fabrics were not available, and wearing fur was not controversial the way it is today.

From T. Eaton Co. (Toronto) Fall and Winter Catalog 1913

 

McCall's Magazine Cover  (1911)

Postcard Image (Circa 1900-1910)

Fisk Tires Advertisement (1917)

Everyday coats were often made of wool, wool velour or velour plush, and sometimes trimmed with fur. The following catalog images show some beautiful coats of the late 1910's-early 1920s that were available in department stores in North America.

From Perry, Dame & Co. (New York) Winter Catalog 1919-1920

From T. Eaton Co. (Toronto) Fall and Winter Catalog 1920-1921

The following illustrations show multiple designs for winter outerwear from the 1920s and 1930s. The first two are French fashion plates. The other illustrations are taken from pattern illustrations of the period, showing garments that could be made at home.

From a 1920s French Fashion Plate

From an 1920's French Fashion Plate, designs by Suzanne Talbot

Winter Coats of 1928

1930s Coats, With Fur Collar or Trim

1930s Coat, With Fur Collar

1930s Coats, With or Without Belt

1930s Capes