Fashion From the 1910s: History's Best Sellers

Hats off to 1910s! Few fashion commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Motorcycle personal protective equipment. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Harem pants and Hobble skirt, consumers eagerly embraced the swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Various Manufacturers and Paul Poiret set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Motorcycle personal protective equipment

   Released in 1910 by Various Manufacturers, Early Innovators

   In the nascent days of motorcycling during the early 20th century, the thrill of speed came with significant inherent risks. Riders were largely unprotected against the elements and, more critically, against serious injury in the event of a crash. This pressing need for safety spurred the gradual development and popularization of Motorcycle Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). What began as improvised solutions, such as heavy leather coats and gauntlets, quickly evolved into purpose-designed gear. Its immediate success wasn't merely commercial; it was a matter of survival, offering riders the confidence to push boundaries while minimizing the catastrophic consequences of accidents, thus becoming a cultural necessity for anyone embracing the burgeoning world of two-wheeled locomotion.

2. Harem pants

   Released in 1910 by Paul Poiret

   Harem pants burst onto the Western fashion scene in 1910, famously introduced by French couturier Paul Poiret. His daring creation, a radical departure from the restrictive corsetry and voluminous skirts of the era, sparked both scandal and fascination. Initially met with resistance for their perceived "indecency" and blurring of gender lines, Poiret's "pantaloons" were a bold statement, offering women an unprecedented sense of freedom and exotic allure. Their introduction marked a pivotal moment in fashion history, challenging Victorian norms and paving the way for more comfortable and functional attire, even if widespread adoption took several decades and cultural shifts.

3. Hobble skirt

   Released in 1910 by Paul Poiret

   The Hobble skirt burst onto the fashion scene around 1910, an audacious and somewhat paradoxical creation from the influential French couturier Paul Poiret. Immediately polarizing, this garment achieved a wild, if brief, popularity, becoming a defining silhouette of the early Edwardian and pre-World War I era. Its success was less about comfort or practicality and more about its bold statement, presenting a starkly new vision of femininity that captivated the elite and sparked widespread conversation, embodying a blend of daring modernity and subtle restraint in women's attire.

4. Keds

   Released in 1916 by Keds, U.S. Rubber Company

   When Keds launched in 1916, it wasn't just introducing a new shoe; it was birthing an entire category of footwear. Dubbed "sneakers" because their rubber soles allowed wearers to move silently, Keds quickly captured the public's imagination, particularly with its canvas "Champion" style. This innovative combination of a comfortable fabric upper and a flexible, non-slip rubber sole was a revelation, offering a level of casual comfort and versatility previously unknown. Its immediate success stemmed from its accessible price point and practical design, making it a democratic fashion statement that resonated with a broad audience looking for everyday footwear that blended ease with understated style, setting the stage for casual footwear for decades to come.