What Did Women Wear in the Late 1800s?
The period of fashion from 1870 to 1890 is known at the late Victorian era. The invention of the sewing machine and the use of synthetic dyes both had changed the face of fashion quite a bit. It's interesting to learn what was in style during the late 1800s.
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Skirts
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Skirts in the late 1800s remained full, with a lot of that fullness located at the back. Bustles are pads or frames worn at the back of a skirt that dramatically increased the volume of fabric. The size of bustles decreased gradually until only a small pad was in fashion at the end of the 1800s.
Sleeves
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Full sleeves were also popular for women of this time. Sleeves that were tapered at the bottom and fuller at the top were called leg of mutton sleeves.
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Hats
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Hats were a part of everyday dress during this era. Elaborate bonnets and hats were commonly worn outdoors. Women also used parasols to protect their skin from the sun.
Dresses
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In addition to the bustle, the Princess gown was a popular choice at this time. This style of dress was form-fitting and usually cut in one piece. Princess dresses did not have a waist seam, but featured a very tight bodice known as a cuirasse. Long trains were also popular on dresses.
Blouses
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Blouses of the late 1800s were heavily embellished and ornate. Lace, appliques, pleats and ties were all feminine additions to blouses.
Colors
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Since synthetic dyes were a new innovation during this era, women's clothing tended to be vivid. Often, dresses were made in two colors. Colors used for formal evening wear tended to be softer.
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