La Belle Epoque

The French referred to the era from 1895 to 1914 as La Belle Epoque. It means an era (or epoch) in which beautiful clothes, exquisite luxury, and sophisticated living filled the major cities of the world. Its tastes and benefits were only for the very rich, as the clothes and accessories that gave it its name were expensive and hard to come by.

In a way, though the Belle Epoque spilled into the 20th century, it was very much a part of the 19th century. Once the war came along (World War I), the entire approach withered. However, before the war, it was a time of extravagant costumes and finery worn in public by society’s most beautiful young women.

You can sense a small taste of this wonderful and magical time period in the photo series to the left, of which a few samples are shown here. The young ladies in this series exude an air of sensual sophistication and fashionable know-how. Their bodies are adorned (in what little they are adorned) by light linens, delicate laces, and tasteful strings and straps.

Some key elements of the Belle Epoque can be seen right in the photos of this series. The era was very known for its amazing hats, and both of the girls in this series can be seen in hats of varying extravagant makes. Also, the large ear-rings you will see the girls wearing here started to become popular in the Belle Epoque and were seen as a “decadent and sexual” sign on the part of the girls who wore them. Even the surroundings are very late 19th century, with the wicker baskets, the richly decorated wood furniture, and the Persian rugs.

But let us look at the true interest in these photos – the models. Even they exhibit many of the physical qualities savored in the ladies of the Belle Epoque. In one sense, this was a time for tom-boyish features. Short hair, slight hips, small breasts were popular. At the same time, however, a more buxom and fuller look was also in. Fortunately for us, and true to historical precedent, both types of models are featured here, offering, as it were, a real smorgasbord for the eyes.

Leave it up to Met Art to beckon us back to an age when young women were only too happy to show off their femininity with exotic, expensive clothes. None of the manufactured Gap stuff here. Only true genuine glamorous young women, savoring their bodies and the joys attendant upon them. Vive La Belle Epoque!

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