The Characteristics Of Fashion In The Victorian Era Clothing

Aliza Sanchez

Mrs. Ecker

English 1 PreAP

1 February 2018

Victorian Era Clothing

Fashion constantly changes, its always altered one way or another, there is always a reason for it to change. Either to reveal character and personal tastes, to show status, or the time period when they were born, clothing could show it. A prime example of such fashion being the Victorian Era of clothing. Clothing in this time period ranged in many styles as the years pass, all of which unique in its own way. Men, women, and children especially.

To begin with, women 's appearance in the Victorian era was constantly changing. Hair was worn either long or in a bun, particularly a style known as a chignon. In the 1840s, ringlets of curls were common. In the 1870s, hair was let long with loose curls, crimping also being the norm. Women also wore hair extensions with artificial flowers and leaves. For those who enjoyed the theater, pale skin and rosy cheeks were essential for makeup. Dresses in the Victorian era were in outrageous styles yet, at the time, it was considered prim and proper. Stylish clothing was a sign of respectability and wealth. The Victorian corset was made from stripes of whalebone which was later replaced with steel. Corsets were fashionable in the 19th century and depicted social status, respectability and youthful figure despite them being deemed as uncomfortable and unhealthy. Critics and health professionals believe that corsets caused cancer, anemia, birth defects,