19th century in fashion

For women, fashion was an extravagant and extroverted display of the female silhouette with corset pinched waistlines, bustling full-skirts that flowed in and out of trend and decoratively embellished gowns.

At the turn of the 18th century, the Western world – namely Europe and the United States – were revelling in the prosperity of the rapid progress that came with the rise of the Industrial Revolution.

[3] The unprecedented rapid and sustained economic growth demonstrated by the textile industry – through employment and value output – saw huge changes in the affordability of clothes and materials as prices fell.

[6] The period of Romanticism from around 1800–1840 emphasised an opposition to stability, celebrating an appreciation of the chaotic which admires creativity, individuality, subjectivity, spontaneity, the sensory and the transcendental.

[6] In England, this period is also known as the Georgian [or Regency] Era which saw great change with rapid urbanisation as cities grew, trade expanded, and a capitalist-driven consumer culture emerged.

[7] The fashion of the time reflects this transitional period as it gradually moves away from the Empire silhouette and Neoclassical influences of Enlightenment which take inspiration from 'classical antiquity'.

[10] For both men and women, silhouettes were increasingly exaggerated with the establishment of curvaceous shapes pointing to an obvious rejection of previous Neoclassical geometric style.

[17] 1837 marked the beginning of the Victorian era, a time that saw tremendous progress, change and power for the British Empire and one that characterises an entire genre of fashion history.

[18] However, soon after both men's and women's fashion became more colourful and relaxed with more exuberant styles and new techniques including passementerie trims thanks to increasing availability of the sewing machine.

[24] The modern social and economic infrastructure continued to revolutionise consumption patterns as the prices of consumer goods decreased dramatically with the increase in productivity.

As the 19th century neared its end, the world began to transition away from stiff Victorian fashions with the rise of the Edwardian era to new freedoms of a more simplistic dress structure and silhouette.

19th Century Dress Silhouette
Man's tailcoat 1825–1830
Image Text: Typical Fashion Details of the 19th Century 1830's Day Dress Very full Leg-O-Mutton sleeves are the hallmark of 1830's dresses. The large sleeves extend out from the dropped shoulder of the dress. The fullness reaches its peak during the mid-1830s. By the late 30's the fullness is being pleated down on the upper arm and puffs out at the elbow. Waistlines are slightly above the natural waist. The skirt is fuller than the previous decade and slightly shorter, allowing the ankles to peek out. Very fine (1/8 inch) piping is found in almost every bodice and sleeve seam. The neckline is still wide on the shoulders but is rising higher towards the neck. The open neckline is often filled in with tuckers (chemisette). The hair is frequently covered with a ruffled daycap. Pockets are worn around the waist under the skirts and are accessed through slits in the skirt. Pockets are often made up of scraps of fabric patchworked together. Drawn and Compiled by Ericka Mason, copyrighted.
1830 silhouette
Image Text: Typical Fashion Details of the 19th Century 1840's Day Dress The 1840s are notable for the tightness of the clothing. The sleeves are very form fitting, often seen with tiny little pleats at the elbow to aid in movement. The waistline falls at its natural line but dips below to a point in front. The fan front (gathered) bodice is very popular throughout the decade. The skirts are fuller and floor length. Piping is found at the waistline, armscye, neckline, and shoulder seams. Drop shoulders are still in vogue. Sleeve caps are also quite popular. Pelerines (short capes) of the same fabric as the dress are quite popular. Fabrics are quite bold in print and colour. This is played upon by the frequent use of bias in trimming and edging the dresses and sleeves. Drawn and Compiled by Ericka Mason, copyrighted.
1840 silhouette
Image Text: Typical Fashion Details of the 19th Century 1880's Afternoon Dress The bustle and draped fabric are hallmarks of the 1880s. The bustle reigns from 1882 to 1890. The skirts are often draped with contrasting fabrics and trimmed with ruching, pleating, and ruffles. Sleeves and jbasque jackets are very form fitting. Sleeve length is quite short, between the wrist bone and 3/4 length. Wrappers are worn for work clothes. Corsets are very hourglass in shape. Drawn and Compiled by Ericka Mason, copyrighted.
1880 silhouette
Image Text: Typical Fashion Details of the 19th Century 1890's Walking Skirt and Shirtwaist Leg-O-Mutton sleeves are ever increasing in size from 1890 through 1896. 1897 sees a sharp change in sleeve styles from very large to fitted sleeves with small puffs at the shoulder. The sleeves continue to be set in at the natural shoulder lines. Necklines are very high. Skirts are smooth across the front, fitted across the hips and gathered across the hips. The skirt flares outward toward the hem. The shirtwaist blouse and walking skirt make their debut. Drawn and Compiled by Ericka Mason, copyrighted.
1890 silhouette