Fashions of 1904

I’ve been doing some researching for the historical novel I’m working on and was thinking about the clothing my main character was likely to have worn. I searched the internet and didn’t find exactly what I was looking for. Then it occurred to me to look at some of my own old family photos.

I believe this photo was a common style around 1900. Of course, these ladies, my great aunts, were all dressed up to have their picture taken. They wouldn't have worn duds like these to cook dinner. I would love to know the color of the dresses, but alas, this was long before color photography.

All I can say is that I’m sure glad we don’t dress like that any longer. Can you imagine what it would have felt like in the summer?