Despite Poiret’s hobble skirt being an outlier in the trend of creating less restrictive clothing, it was a very popular style from about 1909 to 1914. The skirt acquired its name from the small steps, or hobbling, of its wearer. Though it may not look it now, this suit was likely expensive due to the use of fancy weaves (matelassé and jacquard) and the rich metallic brocade used for the capelet and lapels.This suit was originally owned and worn by Margaret Ahlborn, who was a professor in Food Economics and Nutrition at K-State from 1927 to 1937, as well as assistant dean for the Division of Home Economics for the last eight of those years.
K-State Historic Costume & Textile Museum, Gift of Margaret Ahlborn, 1986.319.1ab
Transatlantic Influences: Paul Poiret & Fortunty
“Women's suit, c. 1913Matelassé cotton, silk jacquard liningWomen's blouse, c. 1900-1919,” Keeping Up in Kansas: Women's Fashion in the 1910s, accessed July 6, 2023, https://ccrsdigitalprojects.com/womens-suit-c-1913-matelass%C3%A9-cotton-silk-jacquard-lining-womens-blouse-c-1900-1919
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