When our women began to wear the trousers

Yet rather less is known about how it revolutionised the wardrobe of a woman – and Doncaster’s Brodsworth Hall is set to shed new light on the impact the First World War had on what ladies wore as part of its 100-year anniversary commemorations.

From the gown of the Edwardian Society lady, to the raised hemlines and trousers, each outfit which will be paraded in a one-off evening, provides an insight into women’s effort across Britain. The collection, put together by Lucy Adlington, author of Great War Fashion, includes utility wear donned by females feeding the nation’s guns from munitions factories. Another depicts a woman mourning the loss of her sweetheart, when women were expected to wear all black and spend at least six months at home in seclusion. After this period was over, black could be relieved by grey, lavender, and eventually white.

The fashion parade takes place on Sunday August 2 and is part of a wider exhibition exploring Brodsworth Hall during wartime, when the house and many of its estate buildings were taken over by soldiers.

Actors will also bring stories to life during Brodsworth at War - A Woman’s War, which takes place on Saturday August 2 and Sunday August 3.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said: “Women of all statuses lived under the shadow of the Great War, from wealthy upper class ladies living in grand countryside estates to munitions girls doing their bit.”