What Is the History of Victorian Era Clothing?

The period during Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901) is known as the Victorian Era. During this time, fashion changed immensely from decade to decade. Elaborate mourning rituals characterized the period and women's bathing costumes became popular for the first time.

Early Victorian Era

Women wore layers of up to seven petticoats to keep their skirts full. Waists were cinched with a corset, creating an hourglass shape.

The Civil War Era

With the invention of the caged crinoline, the hoop skirt became immensely popular in the 1860s, reaching a width of 6 feet across by the end of the decade.

Late Victorian Era

After the Civil War, the wide bell-shaped hoop skirt shifted to a bustle in the 1870s which became larger in the 1880s. By the 1890s, the emphasis shifted to wide leg-o-mutton sleeves.

Swimwear

Victorian bathing costumes covered a woman almost completely from head to foot and consisted of a long sleeved bodice and bloomers. Short-sleeved bodices appeared in the late Victorian period.

Mourning

After Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria went into mourning for the rest of her life. Taking cues from her, American widows subscribed to strict mourning rituals, including wearing only black for a period of one year and one day after the death of a husband.

References

• The Fashion Era: The Victorian Era