A button-down blouse, the functional shirtwaist was valued for its ready-to-wear, workplace appeal and its simple design, originally modeled on menswear shirts. It could be worn jacketless and fashionably tucked into the waistband of a skirt, and it was sold as both an individual piece and as an ensemble.
In this post
What type of clothing is a shirtwaist?
The shirtwaist was a tailored blouse or shirt worn mainly by working-class women in the early years of the twentieth century. The shirtwaist was often worn with a fitted or looser A-line long skirt. Sometimes it was worn with a “tailor-made,” which was a skirt-and-jacket suit.
What is a shirtwaist?
Definition of shirtwaist
: a woman’s tailored garment (such as a blouse or dress) with details copied from men’s shirts.
Why is it called a shirtwaist?
The term “shirtwaist,” derived from “waist,” the nineteenth-century term for what we would now call a blouse (in itself so-called because it bloused over the waistband as it was tucked into the skirt), was commonplace by the 1890s.
When did the shirtwaist go out of style?
And so the shirtwaist fell out of fashion as style changed. Of course, women still wore skirts and blouses, but the language or nomenclature changed too. The term shirtwaist was used until the 1920s. Afterwards the more common term used was blouse or shirt.
Why is the shirtwaist important?
With their own jobs and wages, women were no longer dependent on men and sought new privileges at home and at work. The figure of the working woman, wearing the shirtwaist blouse and freed from domestic duties, was an iconic image for the women’s rights movement.
What is a shirtwaist in the 1800s?
The shirtwaist first emerged in the 1860s as a casual, daytime alternative to the matched bodice and skirt ensembles worn by nearly all well-dress women. Most frequently worn by young women, the shirtwaist was usually paired with a dark colored skirt and accessorized with a belt or sash.
What kind of garment is a waist?
blouse
Also known as waist; a woman’s blouse that resembles a man’s shirt.
How were most of the workers killed in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire?
Forty-nine workers had burned to death or been suffocated by smoke, 36 were dead in the elevator shaft and 58 died from jumping to the sidewalks. With two more dying later from their injuries, a total of 146 people were killed by the fire.
What is the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory today?
On March 25, 2003, it was named a New York City Landmark. As of 2020, it hosts classrooms and science labs. Memorial plaques commemorate the victims. Each March on the fire’s anniversary, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition organizes a memorial gathering.
Why were the doors locked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory?
Doors at the Triangle company reportedly were usually locked during the workday, according to the NFPA. The doors were kept locked to prevent workers from taking breaks or stealing materials from the factory. Cutaway materials regularly accumulated on the factory floors.
Who were the Triangle workers?
Many of the Triangle factory workers were women, some as young as 14 years old. They were, for the most part, recent Italian and European Jewish immigrants who had come to the United States with their families to seek a better life. Instead, they faced lives of grinding poverty and horrifying working conditions.
Who was held responsible for the Triangle Shirtwaist fire?
A fire breaks out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, killing 146 people. Factory co-owners Isaac Harris and Max Blanck are indicted on charges of manslaughter.
Does the Ilgwu still exist?
The ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union in 1995, to form UNITE. In 2004, that organization merged with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union to form UNITE HERE.
What are the characteristics of a shirtwaist house?
What is a Shirtwaist House?
- At least two, possibly three levels with a very symmetrical design.
- A first level usually made from native limestone (in later years, brick was used).
- A front porch made of the same stone (or wood in later years).
- A steep, triangle shaped gable roof.
What is a dress without waistline called?
A-line dress or Shift dress
An A-line or shift dress is a dress with normal shoulders, slight flared toward the hemline, but without a waistline seam. They may also be called shift or skimmer dresses.
How should I dress if I have a thick middle?
An A-line dress is another A+ option for those looking to conceal a thick waist. A-line dresses fit snugly around the bust, then gradually flare out at the hips. If you have more narrow shoulders, go for one with thick straps, or for a universally flattering shape, try one with a three-quarter sleeve.
What is a dress with a high waist called?
An empire waist dress is a dress with a fitted bodice that drapes out under the bustline, rather than at the natural waistline.