Here is some more of soprano Flora Woodman’s concert attire, this time for 1916. I imagine she had a walk-in wardrobe for this collection. (Look back at my previous posting, to see which of her earlier outfits she was still using!) I’m quite sure her admiring mother would be sitting on the bed, nodding in approval, and maybe helping Flora tuck in a wisp of hair, adjust a shawl or the tilt of a hat in front of a full-length mirror before they set out.
In my mind’s eye, this blog post has multiple paper dolls wearing 1916 outfits, or little squares showing the colours of the outfits and hinting at the accessories – a hat here, a fox or ermine stole there (for this was decades before anyone hesitated about wearing fur), or a little sprig of flowers to coordinate with her frock. Sadly, I can’t rise to illustrations like that, so again, please use your imagination!
[illegible] with Blouse, White Fur & hat
Black & White Black hat, Fur Coat Black Velvet
Brown hat, pink jersey? (Presumably with a skirt!) Singing to wounded soldiers in hospital
Green coat & skirt, brown hat, white fox, a blouse Green Coat & Skirt, Pink
Mauve frock and white hat & shoes
Navy blue check and white hat
Pink & pearl Pink with hydrangea
White & pink watersilk White with black Tulle White with ermine
My oldies are giving cause for serious concern, and I’m distracted. These situations happen to most of us – I won’t elaborate. Suffice to say that research itself can be a distraction from the awfulness, but not entirely!
Then the microfiche reader screen was too high for my varifocals, so I had to stand to consult it; there was only just room and nowhere to plug in the laptop; and not enough room for my notebook unless I sat back down and balanced it on the edge of the table. I have never liked microfiches anyway! I disliked them in 1988 – nothing has changed.
Although I would like to have stayed longer – I didn’t complete my mission – I wasn’t entirely sorry to have to leave in order not to disappoint expectations that I’d be home to fix lunch.
Back at my own desk, I fiddled with my notes, checked out some details, and quickly checked in with relatives. No news.
Finally, giving in to temptation, I headed back to my happy place. Fabric. In this case, examining Flora Woodman’s concert wardrobe through her performance log! I’ve mentioned before that she logged every outfit worn. It’s a shame that the only outfits we can see, are those in publicity photos. Still, the log gives a good impression of the range of outfits, and some of her accessories. Let me share the concert attire worn by the emerging young star in her first couple of years. Obviously, there’s no indication of style or design, so you’ll need to visit a few historical costume websites for 1913-1915 and form your own imagined impressions.
(I’ve indicated the source of this blog picture below – it has nothing to do with Flora.) There’s also a Facebook page called Attire’s Mind, which gives plenty more food for thought.
1913-1914
Cream Lace Navy Blue White and Pink White Coat & skirt White Silk
1915
Black & White Blue (Spanish) Cream Lace Fur Coat & Pink Hat Navy Coat & Skirt & White Hat Pale Green & White Pink (blue sash) Pink Rose Silver, Pink & Mauve White Silk White (with Black Tulle, Ermine or Swansdown on different occasions)
I found the most beautiful dress on The Romantiquary; in my imagination, this might have been one of Flora’s fabulous frocks. Meanwhile, I need to get a grip on myself and get back to the research proper. I’m not a historical costume expert!
PS. I could be persuaded to list more of Flora’s wardrobe later … ?!
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 