The nineteenth century was a period of continuous change for women's clothing
in England. The growing prosperity of the merchant class meant an ever-larger
number of women for whom 'dress' was a principal function in life, while the
increasing availability of lower-priced ready-made garments enabled women of
moderate means to purchase fashions of the day. In addition, the development of
the railways spurred the spread of new goods, while the removal of the tax of
papers in 1854 produced an abundance of fashion magazines at cheap prices,
bringing news of the latest styles to the multitudes.
The magnificent array of ladies' fashions that characterized the century are
on display in this remarkably complete decade-by-decade overview. Drawing almost
exclusively on contemporary sources - fashion magazines, newspapers, rare period
photographs, memoirs, Victorian novels, periodicals and other publications, as
well as firsthand observation of actual garments - the author describes and
explains the couture that evolved in response to changing social conditions,
technological innovations and cultural developments.
Over 1100 line drawings and photographs depict hundreds of outfits ranging
from lovely morning dresses and starkly attractive riding outfits to elegant
carriage costumes, opulent evening dresses and exquisite bridal gowns. Full-page
plates also depict period millinery, footwear, underclothing and other apparel,
while three useful glossaries provide descriptions of materials, definitions of
technical terms and more.
Museum curators, vintage clothes collectors and fashion historians will find
this carefully researched and well-written book an indispensable tool for
dating, identifying and authenticating vintage clothing. Not only are styles
described and illustrated in details for each year; all the small details of
construction by which specimens can be dated are given wherever possible.
Moreover, designers, illustrators and fashion enthusiasts will be delighted by
the superbly details illustrations, which painstakingly document the
fashionable finery of the Victorian era.
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. The Vertical Epoch
3. The Dawn of Romance
4. from Romance to Sentiment in the '30's
5. The Gothic '40's
6. The '50's
7. The '60's
8. The '70's
9. The '80's
10. The '90's
Retrospect
Glossary of Materials
Glossary of Certain Technical Terms
Glossary of Obsolete Colour Manes
Authorities
Chronological Table
Note of English
Museum Containing Nineteenth-Century Costumes
Index
