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Victorian Fashion...
They tended to use very dark and heavy materials such as velvet and brocade. There was a lot of embroidery, beadwork, and frills and they were particularly partial to leg of mutton sleeves. Most of the dresses had very high necks and a lot of them had an insert of white lace. Some of the collars were of hand made lace. Everyone seemed to have an eighteen inch waist - the waists were greatly accented by wearing a tight corset. If a man could get his hand round a woman's waist this was supposed to be a good thing! Many of the dresses had a bustle at the back - an extra bit which stuck out a bit, and then at the bottom there was a sort of train thing. Because their clothes were so dark & heavy; they wore them and wore them and wore them. I don' think they were ever, ever cleaned! They were worn continuously - I don't think there was much work for the laundry in those days!
`They really were terrific outfits. Shoes were high heeled and boots had buttons all the way up the front.' If you wore an eye glass it was on a piece of velvet ribbon. Lots of lockets were worn, and cameo brooches were very fashionable. Hair was usually long, but worn tied up - and in a very posh style if you were going to have your photograph taken. It could be pleated up the sides and up the back - it took a long time and was hard work. |
 
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