Victorian Fashion History – 1840s to 1890s

1847 fashion

The Victorian fashion era began with Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837 and ended in 1901, upon her death. It marked a pivotal time in Britain’s history and around the world. In fashion, the Victorian era is an elaborate display of class, wealth, beauty, and purpose for women and men.

The layers of dress and suiting required for poor and rich alike were impractical, sometimes even uncomfortable, but always beautifully fashionable.

Victorian fashion began with large dresses, poke bonnets, and modest coverings for the ladies, all while men displayed color, pattern, and rigidity in their attire. By the end of the era, a simpler silhouette was making waves, leading the next Edwardian generation to new freedoms in life and fashion.

1880 plaid skirt with over skirt

To summarize Victorian fashion, nearly 70 years of clothing styles, in one article would be a daunting task (not to mention very long read). Instead, the following links will guide you to many articles about specific years, general styles, or accessories that make up Victorian fashion.

The purpose is not only to educate about (mostly upper class) Victorian fashions, but to give you practical tips, links, and purchasing options for creating your own Victorian costume.

1880s

My first foray into the world of historical costuming began with the Victorian era at a ball where ladies danced in the most elegant hooped dresses I have ever seen. From that moment on, I was hooked.

My quest to make my own Victorian gown for the next ball began with a pattern, some fabric, and not nearly enough research since I ended up creating an 18th century (1780s) dress! My research and writing here at VintageDancer is my attempt to curb those beginner pitfalls while being mindful of budget, time, and ability constraints.

New articles are always in progress and questions are welcomed. On to the Victorian fashion!

Victorian Fashion Dresses

• Pre-Victorian 1830s dresses – How to DIY this rare decade of fashion
• Victorian 1840s-1850s – The era of Charles Dicken’s is explored in this article on ladies Victorian costuming. How to create your early Victorian look.
• Victorian Civil War Era costume – Tips on creating the Civil War era look of the 1860s. Patterns, fabrics, accessories.
• Victorian Bustle era – 1870s and 1880s early, natural and late Bustle era styles for ladies
• 1880s Fashion – History of women’s 1880s dresses
• 1890s-1900s Fashion, Clothing, Costumes – History of women’s 1890s dresses
• Victorian Tea Dresses – Late Victorian era white tea gowns were a unique dress with a controversial history
• Edwardian era / Gibson girl style – Post Victorian era fashions 1900-1910s
• Victorian and Edwardian Bicycle Outfits History
• Victorian Edwardian Apron, Maid Costume & Patterns

***Shop Victorian era dresses and costumes – Ready made and some made to order costumes online.

• Simple Victorian Daytime Costume DIY– How to create quick Victorian costumes from the 1860s to 1890s
• Victorian Ballgown Costume DIY– How to quickly make a Victorian ballgown or evening outfit with thrifted clothing
• Victorian Sewing Patterns – Shop our favorite Victorian-era sewing patterns online.

Victorian Outerwear & Underwear

1843 long coats and shawl

• Victorian blouses & sweaters – Shop mid to late Victorian era separates
• Victorian ladies coats and jackets (article after shopping links)
• Victorian shawls, wraps, capelets and other light coverings  (article after shopping links)
• Victorian underwear and lingerie – What did women wear under all their clothes? Bloomers, petticoats, hoops, bustle pads and corsets

Victorian underwear

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Victorian Shoes

• Victorian Boots – History of and where to buy authentic style Victorian women’s boots and shoes.
• Victorian Boots and Shoes for kids – What footwear Victorian children should wear

***Shop Ladies Victorian boots and shoes – Boots and shoes for any budget

Victorian Women’s Hats

1853 Victorian hats, caps, bonnets

• Victorian Hats for Ladies – Popular Victorian hat styles through all the decades. Bonnets, small hats, riding hats and lace caps
• Victorian Hat Decoration – Ideas to decorate late Victorian tea hats /large picture hats
• History of Tea hats from the Victorian era to the 1950s

***Shop Women’s Victorian hats – Ready made hat forms, decorated hats, bonnets, patterns

Victorian Accessories

• Victorian Parasols and Umbrellas – Article below shopping links
• Victorian Carriage Parasol – DIY guide to making a Victorian small parasol.
• Victorian Purses – Handbags and shopping baskets carried in the Victorian era
• Victorian Gloves – The most important ladies accessory
• Victorian Hand Fan – The fascinating history of the handfan made of silk, lace, feathers or wood
• Victorian Jewelry – Essential Victorian jewelry for your costume

Victorian Beauty – Hairstyles, Makeup

Victorian makeup guide

• Victorian Makeup Guide and Beauty History – How Victorian ladies wore makeup and you can too
• Victorian Hair Accessories – Shop for hair combs, pins, faux hair pieces, wigs, and books on hairstyling

Victorian Men’s Fashion Guides

Victorian mens fashion

• Victorian Men’s Fashion – An overview of men’s Victorian era fashion
• Victorian Men’s Fashion guide –  A guide to creating the Victorian look with new or repro men’s clothing
• Victorian Men’s Shoes – Learn about Victorian style boots and shoes for men and the best reproduction men’s shoes
• Victorian Formal Wear – A guide to the history of Victorian men’s formal wear with recommendations on how to pull off the Victorian look with modern clothing.
• Victorian Costumes – Shop Victorian men’s Halloween costumes with classic characters such as Rhett Butler, Sweeny Todd, Sherlock Holmes, Scrooge

Victorian Children’s Fashion

1894 children’s clothing

• Victorian children’s clothing – Pictures from the 1840s to 1890s
• Victorian Children’s Shoes and Boots – Pictures, history and shopping tips.
• Victorian Kids Clothing &  Costumes –  Shop for children’s Victorian era style clothes