Dress for success: Boise residents saw fashion options multiply in late 19th century

Perhaps no one did more in the 1880s to keep Boise women dressed in the latest fashions than Mrs. John Taylor. Her ad in the Statesman on Nov. 15, 1881, read: “More New Goods for the Ladies — Mrs. John Taylor has just received a large assortment of black and shaded dress silks, satin silks of all shades, brocade silks of all shades, velvet and plush and Surah silks of different shades; all kinds of mourning goods, wraps, cloaks, ladies suits and underwear of all kinds. New style of fall and winter bonnets and hats; shaded veiling and lingerie for the neck. Plumes and fancy trimmings for hats and bonnets; laces, buttons, ribbons, hosiery, and everything tasty and desirable for ladies to wear. This is the largest and most complete stock ever brought to this city, and ladies will do well to call and make their selections.”

In May 1882, Mrs. Taylor’s ad in the Statesman: “Ladies’ Furnishing House. Mrs. John Taylor has received a large invoice of new goods, embracing the Latest Styles of Hats and Bonnets. White and Black Jet Lace, Underwear. And everything usually kept in a Ladies Store for Children and Ladies. This is the leading house in Boise City, and goods will be sold at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES for the next thirty days to make room for more new goods.”

Women who did their own dressmaking — and by the 1880s many had sewing machines — could buy much of what they needed at the Shainwald Brothers general store. Their ad in the Statesman read: “Per Express, first goods of the fall season, 1882; Canton and Renfrew Ginghams, blankets, comforters, serges in all shades elegant and fashionable; Ladies Slippers, ruchings, toilet sets, Dress Flannels, all at bottom prices. Please call and examine.”

Tailors of men’s clothing also advertised in the Statesman in 1882. Philip McGreen described himself as a “Merchant Tailor. I have the Latest Styles of Samples from New York, and can suit you in any line of Goods you wish made up. If you want a nice SUIT of good fitting Clothes, come and see my samples — next door below D. Levy’s, on MAIN STREET Opp. MASONIC HALL. Will do fashionable Cutting, Repairing and Renovating.”

In April 1889, “S. Bernstein, the New York Merchant Tailor has just arrived with a large stock of cloths and trimmings which he is prepared to make up to suit the fancy of the best dressed gentlemen in Boise City or elsewhere.”

In November that year, an item “Written for the Statesman from Kansas City” appeared. “Gossip for Girls. Beth Brown Describes the Latest Styles in Hats and Gowns” and notes that “Bicycle Riding is going out of fashion among girls because it makes the legs muscular.”

We are reminded that little old Boise City was never really isolated from the centers of fashion by this item that appeared in the Statesman on March 30, 1890: “An elegant assortment of new millinery from Paris and New York for the Easter trade has just arrived at Ellsworth’s.”

A few days later: “Grand Opening. Mrs. Lena Lubkin will have a grand opening at her millinery establishment commencing today and to continue for three days. The display will be the finest ever made of a similar kind in Idaho, and it is well worth the attention of the ladies of Boise City.”

Don’t you wish we could drop in on this grand opening?