Fashion in Victorian Britain
MD: Are you a fashion buff? It bodes well to know about fashion in history. Read this short essay about fashion in Victorian Britain to gain a new perspective.
Introduction:
Women's styles radically changed in the 1800s for those who could purchase expensive garments on a routine basis.
Day Clothes During 1848-1849:
The ladies were dressed in a voluminous gown and a wide, stiff, pointy corset topped by several skirts. Their wrists were cuffed, and they wore a cardigan. They used to hold an umbrella.
The guys were dressed in a new-style short lounge coat and wide-leg pants, which were first presented for rural attire circa 1800. Their shirt had been lowered, and the freshly ironed hooded cape had been replaced with a ribbon.
Ladies' Day Dress During 1867:
In the 1850s, new industrial technologies became fashionable. The broad trapezoidal skirts of this garment are sustained by a metal cable 'artificial crinoline,' which was adopted in 1856 to substitute freshly ironed skirts. The outfit was most likely sewn using a machine, which became popular in the 1850s. The aniline pigments that were developed at this time are responsible for the brilliant green color. The garment has a drawstring waist and long sleeves and is simple. The bonnet had been fully supplanted by the headdress.
Day Clothes During 1872:
A 'seaside attire' is how the outfits during these times are characterized. The rear of the dress is highlighted by a pleated 'overskirt' held by a 'crinolette.' The fabrics are lightweight, and the machine allowed for a large amount of ruffled finishing to be attached. The sassy hat sits atop a massive bun, which is most likely made up of fake hair. Cocktail dresses only varied in that they had a lower neckline and were practically strapless.
The men were dressed casually in a lounge jacket with a trimmed coat-like style. They wore a cheap 'bowler'-style cap with a turn-down neckline and a looped necktie.
Ladies' Day Dress in 1885:
A ruffle supports the heaviness of the richly embroidered overdress in the day dresses during this time. Despite the bodice still being tight and the garment thick, the ruffled and rather broad skirts were regarded to be an improvement in comfort. The high headgear, rigid collars, and cuffs limited mobility even further. Many ladies liked the basic 'tailor-made' with a masculine look. The Rational Dress Society was established in 1880 to make clothing more healthy and pleasant.
Conclusion:
In the late 1830s, simple, ringletted beauty was the 'style,' with hoods substituting headwear. Crinolines, or bell-shaped gowns, became broader and bigger, necessitating additional petticoats and even embellished supports. However, around 1860, things changed: the sewing machine came, lowering prices, and synthetic dyes allowed for more vibrant colors. Soft bodices in the 1870s and shelf-like firm bodices in 1883 were examples of dress silhouettes that smoothed out at the front and extended out behind.
FAQs
Did fashion trends exist in Victorian times?
Yes, fashion was a constantly shifting landscape during those times. It was considered unbecoming not to have a strong sense of fashion.
Was fashion only important for Victorian ladies?
No, men were equally into fashion and often wore makeup. What was considered fashionable during that era may even be laughed at in the world we live in today.
What changed fashion forever? What was considered the revolution of modern fashion?
Around 1860, things changed: the sewing machine came, lowering prices, and synthetic dyes allowed for more vibrant colors. This changed how accessible and expensive fashion was.
Did denim jeans exist back then?
Yes, they did; however, they were not a popular fashion choice. They were widely considered to be workers’ clothes. Although in 1873, when rivets were placed in them, they slowly started rising to a fashionable status.
What was considered fashionable attire for women in 1848?
The ladies were dressed in a gown with a voluminous gown and a wide, stiff, pointy corset topped by several skirts. Their wrists were cuffed, and they wore a cardigan. They used to hold an umbrella.
