It is only in the recent years due to credit being given out freely and personal debt at an all-time high that therapy for shopaholics is now available. But in an exhibition at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery, we discover that shopaholicism existed all the way back in the 1910’s. Emily Tinne was born in 1886 and came from a strict Scottish Presbyterian upbringing but when she married Dr. Philip Frederic Tinne in 1910, her husband’s family 
wealth allowed her to shop excessively amassing a collection of well over 700 items from her sprees between 1910 and 1940 (World War Two of course halted all of this!). This entire collection is now owned by the National Museums Liverpool and represents the largest museum collection of clothes owned by one single woman in Britian.
The quirks about this wardrobe is that it doesn’t consist of high fashion labels like Poiret or Chanel, rather it consisted of high-street department store buys – a true reflection of where middle class women like Emily shopped. 
Oddly, many of the garments still lay in boxes with their receipts and she also bought lots of unappropriate clothing that she had no occasion to wear, being a wife of a local GP (general practise doctor). Her daughter Alexine Tinne believes her mother shopped as an act of philanthropy as buying all these extravagant clothing like fur stoles would have earned the shop girls plenty of commission given this was the era of depression. I doubt rich wives of today shop as an act of charity so this is particularly interesting.
From a social historian’s point of view, this collection really is quite fascinating – something that I would love to see. The Walker Art Gallery is displaying 130 items from the collection in an exhibition entitled ‘A Passion for Fashion: A Liverpool Lady’s Wardrobe’ until 30th July. I may just head up those parts to witness the habits of this shopaholic from the past.
Afternoon dress made of wool crepe circa 1925 // Cream wool coat circa 1912
Bias cut evening dress with diamante clasp from Bon Marche // Black and silver silk crepe evening dress circa 1925 // Silk panne velvet devore dinner dress and coatee circa 1932-4
Cotton lawn camisole circa 1910-12 // Silk and lisle stockings circa 1920-35
Patent leather shoes circa 1934 // Green straw cloche hat circa 1928-31
Wow, those are some amazing pieces. Those two coats look so modern, you could still wear it today and be the most stylish woman around.
I also think it’s very interesting how someone brought up with a stict background can go a bit nuts when they’re finally given the chance, be it with drink, drugs or shopping (apparently the most altruistic indulgence!).
Emile Zola’s “The Ladies’ Paradise” was written in the late-nineteenth century and talks about women in Paris with the “frenzy” to shop and, sometimes, shoplift. It was definitely middle class women who shopped at huge, chain-like department stores; I think upper-class women still frequented small shops with custom tailors.
Nice post! Love that cream coat…
Ooh la love.
While I find pretty much any over indulgence (sans soy lattes, vintage mink, and 6″ heels) a little distasteful, at least she bought pretty lovely dresses.
I’m a sucker for all flapper frocks, but still 2 original Chanels would have been better than 700+ department store duds. Shopping for charity, schmarity, that’s like pretending I buy soy lattes to support poor college student Starbucks baristas.
I love the Edwardian era, such a time of beauty. And I love watching Room with a View (or reading it), but unfortunately for me I lost my copy of the DVD. Now I can’t pine away for some of Miss Lucy Honeychurch’s clothing.
In Spades…I totally agree with you! The Edwardian era was just coming out of that slightly gaudy/overly embellished late Victorian period and it became more refined – so beautiful! I also love Room with a View – actually, I got the DVD free with my Sunday newspaper (they frequently give away old films on DVD).