The inspiration for Gibson Girls grew out of published sketches by American artist, Charles Dana Gibson (1867-1944). His sketches appeared in widely read magazines such as Life, Collier's Weekly, and Harpers.
Gibson said that he was simply recording the changes he observed in women as many started to work for the first time at jobs outside the home. He said that they exhibited greater confidence and clearly enjoyed their newly-found independence. Those earning their own money began to dress less conservatively, they wore more creative attire. They started to wear a "health corset" which tightly constricted their waists, while showing to greater advantage their bosoms and hips. They wore several layers of underclothes to farther enhance the desired shape.
Around 1900, the Gibson Girl look had become the image and style most in vogue.
The Coulter Doll Museum - First Lady or Ladies of that Administration