Mourning Attire Etiquette in 1908

Mourning clothes of today are much less depressing and easier to wear than formerly. This has direct reference to hats and bonnets. There may be said to be almost a touch of coquetry given to the hats, many are so bewitchingly shaped and trimmed and the short veils are so becomingly draped. One seldom sees the long crêpe vell worn over the face now. Instead a transparent veil has a border of crêpe or dull silk, and the long veil is draped at the back of the hat or toque.

  

Styles in Mourning Garments Show a Tendency Toward a Softening of the Somber Tone

WHILE there are some people who do not approve of dressing in black when some near and dearly beloved relative dies, probably the majority feel differently and feel that they must go into mourning; that it not only shows respect to the one who has died, but that in a measure it is a protection to themselves. Like many another question it is not an easy task to choose a mourning outfit when the purse is light, while if money does not have to be considered the matter is made an easy one.

The first thing that must be considered in choosing materials is quality. Nothing is a much poorer investment in the clothes line than cheap black goods, while black cloths of good quality wear long and satisfactorily. While the first cost of going Into mourning may be considerable, it is the reverse afterward, as the same gown may be worn on almost every occasion, the same suit also doing good duty, and nothing like the variety is needed in hats, gloves, parasols, and the various accessories.

Mourning clothes of today are much less depressing and easier to wear than formerly. This has direct reference to hats and bonnets. There may be said to be almost a touch of coquetry given to the hats, many are so bewitchingly shaped and trimmed and the short veils are so becomingly draped. One seldom sees the long crêpe vell worn over the face now. Instead a transparent veil has a border of crêpe or dull silk, and the long veil is draped at the back of the hat or toque.

The long veils may be of crêpe silk which comes especially for the purpose, or brussels net. There is nothing much richer or handsomer than crêpe, used either for a veil or for trimming, and it is better finish, softer, wears better, and is less expensive than formerly.

Deep mourning is supposed to be worn only six months or a year, and then is lightened decidedly. There are doubtless a great many who pay no attention to these dictates of fashion, but yield instead to their inclination to wear the same depth of mourning for a much longer period. People in deep mourning should wear plain clothes; elaborate trimmings, glossy cloths, and silks are all out of place. – San Francisco Call, 1908

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