Balkan blouse
Definition: A drop-waisted shirt bishop sleeves of varying fullness. It hangs loosely off the shoulders and is usually belted at the low waist, creating the effect of a peplum (especially in the 1910's), or finished on the bottom hem with a band. They were worn by women and by children of both sexes. Balkan-style jackets trimmed with fur were popular from 1922.
Period: 1912 to the 1920's and again in the 1970's.
Etymology: The style was supposedly inspired by clothing worn in the Balkan region, which came into the consciousness of Western Europeans during the Balkan Wars of 1912-13.
Other terms: Russian blouse, Russo-Balkan blouse
In context:
Period: 1912 to the 1920's and again in the 1970's.
Etymology: The style was supposedly inspired by clothing worn in the Balkan region, which came into the consciousness of Western Europeans during the Balkan Wars of 1912-13.
Other terms: Russian blouse, Russo-Balkan blouse
In context:
"As everyone knows who follows the news of foreign developments in fashion, the 'jacquette' is the thing in France this Summer—both at the Summer resorts and in Paris. At the races both the manikins and the smartest spectators are wearing fur, leather, velvet or matelasse jackets.
"Suddenly the effect of this began to be felt in our showroom. Buyers would ask for a Balkan blouse in some special combination of furs. Letters asking for the Russian or Balkan model were also received and from so many of our clientele that we realized suddenly that the movement was on which we had forecast by way of our Russian ensemble." Mr. White then exhibited the evolved garment which has rapidly forged to the front in recent weeks as the most popular feature of the Vogel, White & Company's collection for misses and small women. It offers a narrow peplum below a deeply bloused upper section which is cut with the traditional Russo-Balkan sleeve inset at the shoulder, on the oblique line, the high choker collar, the left side closing and the fullgathered sleeve banded at the wrist by a two-inch cuff. "It is not only in practical pelts such as mole and squirrel that this jacket is in demand, but in white, beige and platinum caracul that it is ordered," continued Mr. White. "We also make it in the black caracul with kolinsky collar and cuffs of ermine as contrast. Now this jacket is not designed for sports or knock-about wear. It is a perfect day-wear in town garment for the well dressed woman and is particularly good when worn with the long skirts of broadcloth, kasha or one of the exclusive fabrics of the season. For such a consumer this model is designed, and by such it will be worn." - American Cloak & Suit Review, vol 24, no. 2 (August, 1922), pg 128. New York, USA.
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"We've stumbled on the limit now, in
awful days like these, And Woman wears a Balkan Blouse with waistband at her knees." --Galveston News. - The Independent, October 13, 1913. New York, USA.
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From a section with short quotes from newspapers nationwide.
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Examples:
From the Evening Standard (evening edition of the Ogden Standard Examiner), April 14, 1913. Ogden, Utah.
"This sketch shows a separate blouse and sash worn with a black and white striped skirt. The material of the blouse is of natural pongee, with crystal buttons sewed on with black. The fullness of the blouse is pleated in at the lower edge and a fold of the material is sewed on with a beading. Around the neck is a white lace collar tied with cerise velvet, having a picot edge. The black satin girdle is finished with a single tasseled end." |