victorian fashion comprises the various fashions and trends in british culture that emerged and grew throughout the victorian era and the reign of queen victoria, a period which would last from june 1837 to january 1901. covering nearly two thirds of the 19th century, the sixty-three year reign would see numerous changes in fashion.
in the 1840s and 1850s, women's gowns developed narrow and sloping shoulders, low and pointed waists, and bell-shaped skirts. corsets, an ankle-length chemise-like skirt, and layers of flounced petticoats were worn under the gowns. by the 1850s the number of petticoats was reduced and the crinoline was worn; as such the size of the skirts expanded. day dresses had a solid bodice and evening gowns had a very low neckline and were worn off the shoulder with sheer shawls and opera-length gloves.
in the 1860s, the skirts became flatter at the front and projected out more behind the woman. day dresses had wide pagoda sleeves and high necklines with lace or tatted collars. evening dresses had low necklines and short sleeves, and were worn with short gloves or fingerless lace or crocheted mitts.
in the 1870s, uncorseted tea gowns were introduced for informal entertaining at home and steadily grew in popularity. bustles were used to replace the crinoline to hold the skirts up behind the woman, even for "seaside dresses".
in the 1880s, riding habits had a matching jacket and skirt (without a bustle), a high-collared shirt or chemisette, and a top hat with a veil. hunting costumes had draped ankle-length skirts worn with boots or gaiters. clothing worn when out walking had a long jacket and skirt, worn with the bustle, and a small hat or bonnet. travelers wore long coats like dusters.
in the 1890s, women's fashion became simpler and less extravagant; both bustles and crinoline fell out of use and dresses were not as tight as before. corsets were still used but became slightly longer, giving women a slight S-curve silhouette. skirts took on a trumpet shape, fitting closely over the hip with a wasp-waist cut and flaring just above the knee. High necks and puffed sleeves became popular.
the silhouette changed once again as the victorian era drew to a close. the shape was essentially an inverted triangle, with a wide-brimmed hat on top, a full upper body with puffed sleeves, no bustle, and a skirt that narrowed at the ankles. the enormous wide-brimmed hats were covered with elaborate creations of silk flowers, ribbons, and above all, exotic plumes; hats sometimes included entire exotic birds that had been stuffed. Many of these plumes came from birds in the florida everglades, which were nearly entirely decimated by overhunting. well, i hope that you've 'hat' enough victorian fashion for today...
fash'on... BAM!
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| Queen Victoria by Alexander Melville |
in the 1840s and 1850s, women's gowns developed narrow and sloping shoulders, low and pointed waists, and bell-shaped skirts. corsets, an ankle-length chemise-like skirt, and layers of flounced petticoats were worn under the gowns. by the 1850s the number of petticoats was reduced and the crinoline was worn; as such the size of the skirts expanded. day dresses had a solid bodice and evening gowns had a very low neckline and were worn off the shoulder with sheer shawls and opera-length gloves.
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| Victorian dresses of the 1860s |
in the 1860s, the skirts became flatter at the front and projected out more behind the woman. day dresses had wide pagoda sleeves and high necklines with lace or tatted collars. evening dresses had low necklines and short sleeves, and were worn with short gloves or fingerless lace or crocheted mitts.
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| day dress, 1875 |
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| evening gown, 1878 |
in the 1870s, uncorseted tea gowns were introduced for informal entertaining at home and steadily grew in popularity. bustles were used to replace the crinoline to hold the skirts up behind the woman, even for "seaside dresses".
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| dresses of the 1880s |
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| image from fiberneed |
in the 1880s, riding habits had a matching jacket and skirt (without a bustle), a high-collared shirt or chemisette, and a top hat with a veil. hunting costumes had draped ankle-length skirts worn with boots or gaiters. clothing worn when out walking had a long jacket and skirt, worn with the bustle, and a small hat or bonnet. travelers wore long coats like dusters.
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| Victorian fashion of the 1890s |
in the 1890s, women's fashion became simpler and less extravagant; both bustles and crinoline fell out of use and dresses were not as tight as before. corsets were still used but became slightly longer, giving women a slight S-curve silhouette. skirts took on a trumpet shape, fitting closely over the hip with a wasp-waist cut and flaring just above the knee. High necks and puffed sleeves became popular.
the silhouette changed once again as the victorian era drew to a close. the shape was essentially an inverted triangle, with a wide-brimmed hat on top, a full upper body with puffed sleeves, no bustle, and a skirt that narrowed at the ankles. the enormous wide-brimmed hats were covered with elaborate creations of silk flowers, ribbons, and above all, exotic plumes; hats sometimes included entire exotic birds that had been stuffed. Many of these plumes came from birds in the florida everglades, which were nearly entirely decimated by overhunting. well, i hope that you've 'hat' enough victorian fashion for today...
fash'on... BAM!
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