1918 Underwear for Ladies and Children
Ranked #5,617 in Fashion & Beauty, #85,132 overall
Lingerie for Women and Children in 1918
I have a Summer 1918 catalog for the John Wanamaker, Philadelphia store. The artwork is a delight and the prices will make you smile. The fashions look light and innocent. It was the year when World War I ended, Woodrow Wilson was president and the Spanish flu swept the nation.
Let's focus on pages 36 - 46 in the catalog which features "dainty nightgowns" and "summer undermuslins." Here are examples showing what the well-dressed lady of 1918 wore under her dresses and what she wore for bedtime and around the house.
The photo is from our family album and shows my grandmother, Ruth Vining, in 1918 with her friends.
Contents at a Glance
- Camisoles and Chemises from 1918
- A 1918 Summer Nightgown
- Crochet Pattern for Vintage Nightgown Yo...
- The Evolution of Corsets and Ladies Ling...
- Camisoles, Chemises and Petticoats from...
- The Great War: Styles and Patterns of th...
- Vintage Crochet PATTERN to make
- More 1918 Nightgowns
- Vintage Crochet PATTERN - Antique Filet...
Camisoles and Chemises from 1918
in the John Wanamaker catalog
A 1918 Summer Nightgown
Description from the Wanamaker 1918 catalog:
P-5008 - Fine muslin nightgown with hand embroidery and ribbons. $3.50
P-5009 - Fine quality muslin nightgown, with hand embroidery, ribbons and novel sleeves. $2.75.
Crochet Pattern for Vintage Nightgown Yoke
Vintage Crochet PATTERN to make - Antique Filet Crochet Nightgown Yoke Diamond Design. NOT a finished item. This is a pattern and/or instructions to make the item only.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 05/24/2012)
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The Evolution of Corsets and Ladies Lingerie 1900 to 1950
Slideshow of lingerie ads year-by-year shows the changes in styles
“Nainsook is cotton fabric of a plain weave that is heavier than batiste.”
Camisoles, Chemises and Petticoats from 1918
The Great War: Styles and Patterns of the 1910s
Book available from Amazon
“Batiste is a fine weave fabric from cotton or linen that is thin and light, but not opaque.”
Vintage Crochet PATTERN to make
Antique Butterfly Filet Crocheted Nightgown Yoke
Vintage Crochet PATTERN to make - Antique Butterfly Filet Crocheted Nightgown Yoke. NOT a finished item. This is a pattern and/or instructions to make the item only.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 05/24/2012)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
More 1918 Nightgowns
from the John Wanamaker catalog
1918 Wanamaker Catalog Description:
P-3701 - Nainsook nightgown, smartly trimmed with lace, embroidery and ribbon. $2.50.
P-3702 - Embroidery and ribbons trims this dainty nightgown of nainsook. $2.25
Vintage Crochet PATTERN - Antique Filet Crochet Nightgown Yoke 1917
Vintage Crochet PATTERN to make - Antique Filet Crochet Nightgown Yoke 1917. NOT a finished item. This is a pattern and/or instructions to make the item only.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 05/24/2012)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
“Cambric is a closely woven, firm, cotton fabric that has a slightly glossy surface.”
Nightgowns of Batiste and Nainsook
1918 Wanamaker Catalog
P-3700 - Daintily trimmed with embroidery and tucks is this nightgown of nainsook. $2.
P-3704 - Nightgown of nainsook, attractively trimmed with embroidery and ribbon. $1.65
P-3705 - Nainsook nightgown, prettily trimmed with lace, embroidery and ribbon. $2.50.
P-3706 - Embroidery and tucks are most effective as trimming on this nightgown of soft cambric. $1.50.
P-3707 - Dainty nightgown of pink batiste, trimmed attractively with lace and ribbon. $1.85.
P-7308 - Prettily trimmed with lace and ribbon is this nightgown of nainsook. $2.65.
Underwear and Nightwear for Children in 1918
Description from the 1918 Wanamaker catalog:
P-4606 -- This child's sleeping garment is made of cambric, and finished down the front with silk frogs. Sizes 2 to 10 years. $1.
P-4607 -- This small girl's petticoat of nainsook, is made in princess style, fastens on the shoulder, and is finished at the bottom with a full ruffle of embroidery and lace insertion. Sizes 2 to 6 years. $1.
Corsets from 1918
Patterns to Crochet Corset Covers & Nightgown Yokes
Sophie T. LaCroix #9 c.1920 - Old & New Designs in Crochet - Corset Covers & Nightgown Yokes
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 05/24/2012)
15 Pages. Sophie LaCroix's books are not for the novice. Her works are stunningly beautiful, but often can be difficult to work if you are not an experienced crocheter. This book has a lovely assortment of yokes to be used in corset covers and nightgowns. A very delicate and feminine collection!
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Ladies Wrappers from 1918
The History of Lingerie - Read More about It
Books available from Amazon
More about 1910-1920
I'd love to hear your opinions on the fashions of 1918
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Chris Sullivan
Jan 10, 2012 @ 12:01 pm | delete
- I have a number of 1918 Mail order flyers and catalogs, mail order ads, WW1 ads celebrating the end of the war, and many other types of paper goods from 1918. What collectors may be interested in the historical material?
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vallain Jan 10, 2012 @ 7:33 pm | delete
- Chris - I hope you stop back to read my answer. I'd recommend looking up similar items on eBay to see how popular they are and what prices they are bringing. There's another site called OnlineAuction.com. Flyers, catalogs and other paper items like this are called ephemera and are quite collectible.
If you don't want to bother with auctions, send a photo and description of the pieces to my CONTACT button on my profile. I might buy them from you.
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Chris Sullivan
Jan 10, 2012 @ 8:07 pm | delete
- Thank you for the encouragement, Vallain.
Many of the 1918 mail order items are both Chicago and New York.
I inventoried them at one time and have a list somewhere. Of course, there is Sears and Montgomery Ward, but there are many other fashion mailings. Most of them look like new. I am a builder and in 1979 I was ripping down a building that had sawdust for attic insulation. Under the saw dust was junk mail from 1918, Most of it was still in the sleeves or envelopes. I just don't know what it is worth or who to show it to. If you are interested, is there a direct email address that I can send a list to? Or maybe I can email some photos. Thanks. Chris
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- Chris - click on my avatar picture here. Then you will see my profile with the CONTACT button under it. We can continue the discussion there using email.
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rosytaylor
Aug 12, 2011 @ 4:52 am | delete
- Hi! This is an amazing and Awesome lens. Thanks for sharing such a nice lens. Nicely done, Keep up your great work!
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Kimbesa Jul 6, 2011 @ 10:59 pm | delete
- How classy...thanks!
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momsfunny May 22, 2011 @ 10:43 am | delete
- I could not have lived back then, I would have been a nudist!
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ChineseKitesforKids
May 3, 2011 @ 6:39 pm | delete
- I would love to still wear this stuff. Its so classic, I love it. Great lens!!!
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WordCustard
Feb 24, 2011 @ 1:21 pm | delete
- I find fashions of the past fascinating. The nightgowns and camisoles look pretty. I'm glad we don't still have corsets though!
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wordstock Feb 24, 2011 @ 8:06 am | delete
- Adding this as a featured lens on My Rhea's of Sneedville lens. Great job and just fun.
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jseven
Feb 23, 2011 @ 4:37 am | delete
- My daughter would love this, she is very much into dressing this style. :) Cool lens!
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nancycarol Feb 22, 2011 @ 9:53 pm | delete
- I think they combined style, fashion and modesty at the same time. Very beautiful, and this lens is a wonderful look back at the history of undies.
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mbrownauthor Feb 22, 2011 @ 9:00 pm | delete
- What a cool lens! Love it. Blessed it!
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Evelyn_Saenz
Feb 22, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
- I just sent this lens to my daughter. She is minoring in costume design and will love the info you have presented here.
Blessed!
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OhMe
Feb 22, 2011 @ 7:15 pm | delete
- Oh wow, this was fascinating. Some of the nighties haven't changed much but other things really have. I sure am glad that I wasn't around for the Corset.
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by vallain
I'm Virginia Allain, a retired librarian. Now I devote myself to writing, photography and designing books to self-publish. Having fun!
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