Life, 1911-03-16 · page 13 of 44
Life — March 16, 1911 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical article mocks the "Fashion Reform League," which advocated for more practical women's clothing. The illustrations show absurd alternative hat and hairstyle designs proposed by reformers. The joke targets two audiences: the fashion reformers (portrayed as impractical idealists) and high society's extreme fashions themselves. The cartoons depict exaggerated "reform" alternatives—like the massive parasol hat and elaborate "Stepladder" coiffure—suggesting that even reform proposals were ridiculous and unworkable. The article notes Life Park (formerly Central Park) was opening, with the Fashion Reform League claiming space to display their proposed styles to visitors. The underlying satire: both traditional extreme fashion and its "reforms" were equally absurd, mocking the era's heated debates over proper women's dress codes and practicality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VE ES Life’s Fashion Reform League Life Park Now Finally Opened—Some New Problems Confronting the League FIG, 1.—-THE SMART HIGH-CHURCH-LOW- CUT SURPLICE ADOPTED THIS YEAR BY THE LADY CHORISTERS OF ST, SADIE’S. IFE PARK now presents an ani- mated appearance. Tt will be recalled that this famous tract of land, situated almost in the heart of Manhattan Island, was formerly called Central Park. It was once used as a place of recreation by the masses and the classes, and almost any day in the week many persons could be seen Keeping off the grass. For some time it has been generally felt that the park ought to be serving a useful purpose. ‘That so much valuable land should be lying idle has naturally been a source of chagrin to every poli- tician, Some time ago it was thought that the best needs of everyone concerned would be satisfied by formally turning over the park to Gimbel Brothers, Macy, Wana- maker and Siegel-Cooper; and after they had been apportioned their shares of it, ac. “A LA POULETT! PARASOL OF SEAL- WORN OVP FIFTH PIG. 2.—CORSAGE WITH SABLE EDGING. SKIN. (NOT TO BE AVENUE.) oc. THE BUTTERFLY COIF- FURE FOR THE CHILD oF TEN YEARS. THE “ STEPLADDER " COIF- PURE FoR cumper, (see text.) that the Times, the Herald and the World might erect suitable buildings in it within sight of all; then, if there hap- pened to be any room left, the space could be used by some of our more prominent jewelers, haberdashers, drug- gists and, possibly, for an uptown branch of the Stock Exchange. Mr. Morgan had practically agreed to this, and it was therefore settled, when Lire’s Fashion Reform League presented its claims. After considering the matter for only an hour and agreeing that nothing is so important in this country as women’s clothes, the Interborough Company (which is now running New York, as- sisted by City Chamberlain Hyde), en- thusiastically turned the park over to the Reform League. We shall not use all of the space in the park at present for building purposes. The old mall will be preserved as a parade ground for some of our leading models, so that the latest styles can be readily seen by visitors from out of town. Our new cutting and fitting establish- ment, occupying a huge building on the site of the old baseball ground, has been recently opened. The Metropolitan Mu- seum of Art (that was) we have decided to turn into a beautifying emporium, In this magnificent place, every means of beautifying known to science, from a hair puff to a Turkish bath, will be in- stalled. The cry “America for Americans” has met with an immediate response sng, if WIM, ay aR “LA BORNEO” COIPFURE —COMBINATION OF HAIR AND PUR. A SOCIAL