The Wasp — 1896 — page 410: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* is primarily **fashion commentary rather than political satire**. The column "The Foibles of Fashion" by "Ear Gladys" critiques contemporary women's clothing trends in San Francisco. The text mocks fashion inconsistencies—women wearing formal sealskin coats alongside casual accessories, and discusses "French novelties" being sold at inflated prices in local shops. It features iridescent spangle-trimmed collars as an example of excessive ornamentation. The photographs show fashionable women of the era (including "Miss Lillian Ashley") modeling the elaborate hats and corseted silhouettes typical of the early 1900s. The accompanying text sarcastically comments on corset tightness and sleeve sizes, warning readers against believing exaggerated fashion claims. This is essentially **satirical fashion journalism**, not political commentary.