Victorian Women's Fashion

Victorian fashions are some of the most recognizable styles in history. One immediately thinks of corsets, trains, and bustles. This bibliography was created to introduce comprehensive sources in areas including women's, men's, and children's fashions of the day. It also provides look into the lifestyle these fashions created, including intensive laundering sessions, body altering restrictions, and forms of hygiene very different from those in practice today. It is often hard to realize how difficult fashions made day to day life when faced with the beautiful and artistic designs of the day.

Women of the middle to upper classes were expected to change their gowns up to four times daily. One wore a casual gown in the morning for household chores and activities, a more elaborate piece for visiting in the afternoon, and a formal gown for dinner. As the century progressed the rules became more flexible, however, one was always expected to dress formally for dinner. (Buxton, 14)

Women's fashion of the era was not meant to be practical. Women were meant to accessorize their environments and dressed accordingly. As the century progressed and women's roles changed clothing changed with it.(Buxton,30) The beginning of the Victorian Era was heavily influenced by the Romantic Movement. Dresses were made to resemble those of the Elizabethan Era with their own modern touches. Sleeves were fuller, skirts were larger and more bell shaped. Scottish influences were seen which can be attributed to Sir Walter Scotts pupular Waverly Novels and Queen Victoria's purchase of Balmoral in 1852. (Buxton, 32)

The Victorian Era also saw a less ornamental sub era when England went through a depression in the 1840s. However, the economic difficulties were overcome by the late 1840s and women saw the return of cage crinolines and the introduction to lighter fabrics. The 1870s brought modern and less restrictive shapes. The beginning of the end of corsets, hoop skirts, and layers of petticoats was foreseen during the end of the century and the close of the Victorian Era. (Buxton, 33)