Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 164 1914

This is plate 164 of George Barbier’s Costumes Parisiens, made in 1914 for the Journal des Dames et des Modes. The journal was a French fashion magazine that presented the latest trends in clothing and accessories for upper-class women, but it also reveals a specific idea about the roles of women in the early 20th Century. Here, we see a slender woman elegantly dressed in a tailored suit, gazing out at the sea with a telescope. The image conveys a sense of leisure and sophistication, reflecting the privileged lifestyle of the Parisian elite. The straight lines of her skirt and jacket are typical of the era, yet she also has a masculine silhouette with the jacket and naval hat. Is this a hint to the changes in women's social life? The Journal des Dames et des Modes offers insights into the social and cultural values of the time and now serves as a valuable resource for historians interested in understanding the complexities of early 20th-century French society.