The following passages depicting women’s fashion in 1917 Montana are taken from the historical novel Copper Sky by Milana Marsenich. The book is available at Amazon and Open Books Direct.

“Pretty women in shiny red and purple dresses, who lived from the wages of the off-shift workers, stood bundled up on street corners. Their dresses dropped in folds to their ankles or flared out like brightly colored balloons. Some of the dresses were faded and worn, the hems frayed and stained the color of dirt.”

“Milla Lailich, a handsome woman with sharp elegant features, wore a brown scarf that was embroidered with richly colored flowers. Her pale lavender dress fell softly to her ankles. Mama saved that dress for special occasions, like Marko’s birthdays or a neighbor’s wedding.”

“Marika walked into the small building on Broadway that housed Dr. Fletcher’s office. She had pulled her hair into a tight bun at the back of her neck. She wore her brown skirt, which flowed down to the top of her boots, lightly polishing the insteps. A soft white blouse under her mother’s white sweater finished the outfit, giving her a responsible look.”

“Before she’d ever acquired the red satin, someone had painstakingly sewn tiny cloth buttons up the front of the dress. She admired them now, the ease with which they afforded her to dress and undress, such a delicate device for such a brutish job. The dressmaker had sewn a beautiful cream lace along the collar, giving it a modern elegant look.”

“This time Marika looked around from the top of the crest, smiling into Dan’s handsome face and resting her head against his muscular shoulder. From up here the midway danced in colorful, swirling scarves, men’s caps, and ballooned dresses. Arms waved like insect wings.”