About Fashion in the French Revolution
Fashion during the French Revolution (1789 to about 1793) saw a complete switch in the direction of costume for men and women. The overt glamor of the aristocrats was pushed out in favor of dress for all social classes. This change would move into the rest of Europe, modifying clothing to the Grecian-inspired ideal of the Regency era.
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History
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Clothing during the French Revolution evolved from the ornate to the simple. The larger silhouette supported by wide panniers and stiff stays gave way to a slim line with little or no corseting. The earliest part of the Revolution during the 1790s was a time of restriction; ostentatious dress or vivid coloring could mark one as wealthy, which was a death sentence during "The Terror" of 1792. After this period, the simpler Grecian style took over again with the installation of the Directory.
Significance
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The simplification in clothing marked a change in the role of women in revolutionary life and politics. Clothing was a mark of political belief and was a statement to others. People were rebelling against the elite classes' over-the-top clothing in a time of overwhelming poverty. The lower classes, in their push for equality and wealth redistribution in society, favored a cleaner look constructed from simple fabric comfortable for everyday labor.
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Features
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Ladies' clothing was made from fabrics like muslin, cotton and linen. Many dresses were nearly sheer. During the Terror, many favored dark, solid colors. The Grecian, empire-waisted dresses of the later era were white or pastel colored. Women wore chemises still but dropped the corset; underpinnings ended up coming back as "short stays" later on. Hair was more natural, worn up in curls or chignons. The ornate cosmetics of the past were frowned upon as the domain of the elite.
Men's fashion was inspired by military style. Taking after sailors, men abandoned fitted breeches for pants. The almost dandy-like colors and patterns soon settled into darker shades. Hair was worn natural, without powder; the wig was phased out.
Considerations
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During the Revolution, people were incredibly poor, with high levels of discontent. The social structure of France changed practically overnight. Working harder than ever to feed their families, women wore simplified dresses out of necessity. After the Directory was established, new rules of etiquette also made way into society, along with a new romanticism. Free to now have fun and become expressive once more, people started to dress to attract.
Benefits
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The clothing of the French Revolution acted to change the dress of most of Europe. The simpler fashions were less expensive and more accessible to the general public. Without the heavy and restrictive dress of the olden days, women were freer to move about and live life. It was now possible to dress beautifully without breaking the bank. The all-around return to natural behaviors and unaffected romanticism gave us authors like Jane Austen, whose lively heroines are admired to this day.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Lahacal.org
