In fact, at the end of filming Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, Megan burned hers in a bonfire! Nowadays, women may complain about the ever-changing rules of what is “in style” and what is not, but here’s a look at what was in fashion at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.
By the 1890s, fashion was leaving the “late Victorian era” and entering the “Edwardian era” of the early 20th century, and this saw a gradual change in the width of women’s skirts. In day dresses, the huge bustle of the Victorian era became less pronounced - though dresses were still flared. Also, the “tailor made” style of dresses with jackets worn over blouses and full skirts was popular. This style can be seen in the green dress Marilla wears when she tells Matthew that they cannot keep Anne.
If you’ve ever wondered why it is that Anne so desperately wanted “puffed sleeves”, it’s because that was the fashion by 1895. Extremely large puffed sleeves came up well above the shoulders and helped to balance the full flare and belted waists of skirts. Also, bright dyed colours were in fashion, which means that Anne would have been perfectly in style when she went to the ball in her light blue dress.
To try your own hand at dress-making, why not work from a pattern? Please see the Sullivan Boutique for a description of Anne’s wedding dress pattern.
