Victorian Era

Queen Victoria's reign in 1837 birthed the beginning of the Victorian fashion era. Just as it began with her reign it also ended once the queen died in 1901. The era is an intricate show of class, riches, elegance, as well as function for men and women. Victorian style started with big gowns, poke bonnets, and decent coverings for women, all while men showed color, pattern, and rigidness in their clothing. At the end of the era, a simpler silhouette was making waves, prominent to the following Edwardian generation to new liberties in life and fashion.

1847 Fashion

Garments were considered an expression of women's place in society, thus were separated in regards to social class. Upper-class women, that didn't have to work, typically wore a tightly laced corset over a bodice or chemisette, and paired them with a skirt embellished with various embroideries and trims; over layers of petticoats. Middle-class women displayed comparable gown styles; nevertheless, the designs weren't as rich. The layering of these garments make them really heavy. Corsets were likewise stiff and limited motion. Although the garments weren't comfortable, the type of materials and the countless layers were used as a sign of wealth and social status.

Fashions throughout the 19th century

A low shoulder neckline was worn by women in the Victorian era. This low cut exposed a woman's shoulders. Sometimes the neckline was trimmed with lace or draped with serval horizontal pleats. The shoulder exposure was restricted to upper class and working class women could not expose so much skin.

Picture of 1850s evening dress with a bertha neckline

During the early Victorian era sleeves were tightly fit, matching the tightly laced bodices. The shoulder sleeve seamline was drooped more to reveal a tighter fit on the arm. This ultimately restricted women's movements with the sleeves. As crinolines began to develop in style, sleeves turned to resemble big bells which provided the gown a much heavier volume. Engageantes, which were typically made from lace, linen, or lawn, with cambric and broderie anglaise, were used under the sleeves. They were simple to remove, shorten and restitch into place, so to serve as false sleeves, which was tacked to the elbow-length sleeves of this time. They generally appear under the bell-shaped sleeves of day gowns.

1847 day dresses

One of the most obvious ways that Victorian fashion is still influencing our modern fashion is through bridal fashion. Before Queen Victoria's wedding women barely wore white or ivory on their wedding day, after that everyone wanted to follow their special day to resemble and honor Queen Victoria's wedding, and it became a century long tradition for most women.Queen Victoria's wedding dress was a billowing satin ballgown with lace appliques and stunning details. The open neckline, full skirt, and long train are still common in several wedding styles that new brides look for and use in the modern-day. Also her accessories - a long veil and a glimmering tiara - are still prominent components. Although her wedding occurred almost 200 years back, Queen Victoria's wedding dress still continues to be pertinent and influential.

10th February 1840: Queen Victoria (1819 - 1901) and Prince Albert (1819 - 1861) on their return from the marriage service at St James's Palace, London. Original Artwork: Engraved by S Reynolds after F Lock.