Judge, 1911-12-30 · page 6 of 25
Judge — December 30, 1911 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Judge page mocks 1920s women's fashion through absurdist costume descriptions. The "Divorce Costume" sarcastically references Reno, Nevada—then famous as a divorce destination—with details like "cracked wedding bells" and "severed true lovers' knots." The "Opera Gown" jokes about scandalously minimal clothing by suggesting the wearer's own flesh serves as the garment's material. The "Street Dress" ridicules impractical fashion by describing a burlap sack with sheet iron panels held by nails. The lower section humorously proposes millinery (hat) designs that serve practical functions—thermometers, clocks, mirrors, weather vanes—suggesting women's elaborate hats are ornamental but useless. The "ON RECORD" dialogue mocks wealthy affectation: a woman must give away her dog but records its bark on a phonograph, prioritizing pretense over genuine companionship. The satire targets upper-class women's obsession with fashionable absurdity and conspicuous consumption.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Divorce Costume (No. 1). TiS very important gown should be a part of the trousseau of every smart bride. The design shown here will remain in fashion for at least six months after the wedding, and is of Reno-blue liberty silk, cut a-! ony. A panel of cracked wedding bells down the front is held in place by knots of orange blossoms tied together by crepe bows. A liberty cap, with seventeen ospreys, is worn upon the head, while broken wedding rings nestle at frequent inter- vals among the fingers. The shoes are of Cupid’s-pink suede, with severed true lovers’ knots upon the instep. Opera Gown (No. 2). Opera costumes for this winter will be modeled upon extremely simple lines, as little material being used as possible. The one here illustrated uses the wear- WINTER FASHION MODELS. er’s flesh as body material, upon which bands of pearl trills and arpeggios are held together with narrow strips of flesh-colored gauze. ON RECORD. Clorinda—"' 1 hear they won't let you keep a dog in your new flat? Clarrisse—* No, we had to give Fido away; but George had his dear little bark put on our phonograph."” Diamond-studded sandals without stockings are worn upon the feet, and an aigrette of pearl and diamond violets WHY DON'T WOMEN MAKE THEIR MILLINERY CONCEITS USEFUL The stunning designs herewith shown would have a large following if put into actual use. —typifying modesty—is worn in the hair. As the costume is somewhat decollete, the wearer will do well to don a rope of ‘pearls or diamonds as a protec- tion against the cold and police inter- ference. Street Dress (No. 3). A most wonderful creation for out- door wear is shown here. It is made of wrinkled, unbleached gunny sack, cut in drain-pipe fashion, with front and back plastrons of rusted sheet iron, held in place by tenpenny nails and wire hairpins. The real or fancied coat of arms of the family forms the motif of the red rust design upon the panels, and a small ram or other outre beast is led in leash when the costume is worn. Cowhide shoes and gloves and an In- croyable bonnet complete this tasteful arrangement. AS WELL AS ORNAMENTAL? sers-by. especially when the temperature is around zero. Supply the correct time. adornment Hand mirror a serviceable The weather-vane. calendar, and compass combined would attract general attention. ee comicbooks.com