Gibson Girls of 1900 – With a Zest for Life



You more than likely had female ancestors, aged about 20 years old in 1900. Not all such young ladies, but many took a new look at their life and wanted to be more independent. A new century (20th) and a new ‘zest for life’ developed.

Young women of 1900 were energetic, engaged in their friendships and adventures, more so than young ladies during the 1800s.

Noted by artist Charles Dana Gibson, he would tag such independent ladies as ‘Gibson Girls’. He did pen and ink illustrations of young American girls. His drawings were a combination emerged of the Gibson Girl, who was tall and slender, yet with ample bosom, hips and buttocks. They were published in newspapers and magazines.

The ladies liked to do things differently. Maybe to the edge of a cliff to overlook mountains, joining their friends in a more sporty and adventurous activity even while wearing all the corsets and lace.

With cameras available in the early 1900s, photos were taken to show what they were experiencing and how they were enjoying themselves. They were statuesque and athletic, she was a contemporary incarnation of the beautiful, desirable, and modern woman.

With the beginning of World War One (The Great War), changing fashions caused the Gibson Girl to fall out of favor as women favored practical clothing over the elegant dresses of the early 1900s.

You may have photos of ancestors of that 1900 to 1910 period, especially enjoying adventures and the outdoors.

Photo: Theresa Babb friend in 1901 and Charles Gibson illustration.

Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:

The Overlooked Female Ancestors

Females Mistreated

Female Occupations by Another Name

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