Fashion is involved in all forms of clothing, fashion is clothing. From the fur and velvet in a nobles great coat, to the buttons on a farmhand’s britches. They were all created for a reason, let it be looking fabulous or just a  plain form of covering, and although it has changed multiple times through the centuries, here is what it was like in the 1800’s.

At the turn of the century, a lot of the previously popular trends carried over, as they tend to do now. As it was before, white continued to be popular, along with light fabrics. Eventually tiny piping began to be used to finish the seams. Dresses began to open in the front and skirt openings became wider- if there was one at all. (1800-1810) Bodices became minimal, but if there was to be one it was the popular fiddleback bodice. Around 1806 Jackets began to be used in the place of the unconventional cloak. The most popular jacket for women was the Spencer Jacket. At waist length, it was named after Lord Spencer. (1800-1810) If Jackets were not to be worn, long shawls took their place. From 1810-1820 pads were added to the hems of dresses to avoid chafing. Although soft colors continued to be used, skirts got wider and previously high waists came to rest more naturally.

Women’s clothing was always very simple. High waists, soft colors. It wasn’t until around 1810-1820 that surface ornamentation was added. (1820-1830) Eventually silk was moved over from just being used for men, and women’s clothing began to make use of it. Wide belts were used to accentuate waistlines. The most popular dress of the time period was the bustle dress. A bustle was a contraption used to add volume to dresses. (Stewart) During the Romantic Era 1820-1830, more structure  was added and decorations became more commonplace. Hems were horizontal and lapels were added to the jackets. (1820-1830)

Men’s clothing could be very simple or very fancy. The shirts were almost always white with high collars, and on fancy occasions, ruffles down the front. The pants worn at the time most often were breeches. Breeches are a type of pant worn over tights or long socks that stops at the knee. (Jennings) They were typically fastened with drawstrings, buttons, or straps. Two different types of coats were worn regularly; waistcoats and greatcoats. Waistcoats had square bottoms, high waists, and wide lapels. Greatcoats were, as the name implied, great in size. They were for dressier occasions, and tended to be made of fur or velvet with caplets on the collar. (Jennings) Other ways to show their  fashion sense was a hat, top hats most likely. The most popular was the cone shaped top hat. Another added ornamentation was the cravat, an early form of the tie. (Jennings) Another fashion statement was the powdered wig. It not only made you look like an old man, but it showed you profession and ranking in society.

Hairstyles changed an awful lot during the nineteenth century. For the first fifteen years women had short curls on their forehead, with their back hair in a topknot. From 1815-1840 hair was parted with either side poofs, ringlets, or hoops. Eventually hair was piled higher and higher until a style called la giraffe was created. (Phyllis) From 1840 to 1855 the hair was tied at the back of the neck sometimes with strings of pearls, flowers, and jewels or held by a silk net called a chignon. (Phyllis) Ornaments worn then for women were combs, tiaras, and coronets. Coronets were like small crowns with jewels fixed on a metal ring. It was worn exclusively by nobles. By 1870 hair was worn out or in French twists. Men and women alike wore pompadours, a sort of coif (Phyllis).

Shoes for men were very simple, dress shoes, straight-last boots, or plimsolls- a sort of sneaker. The real excitement was when it came to women’s shoes. The first, most common women’s shoes were the Stella, and high-top heels. Stellas were a style of shoe with seven lace holes. These were horsewomen shoes, with a soft pointed toe (Ladies Shoes and Boots). Heels were mostly high-tops. Heels were made of stacked leather with metal plates in it to avoid wear. Women’s work shoes were the same as men’s dress shoes. The most popular shoe was women faux button shoes. With buttons only for design (Ladies Shoes and Boots).

There you have it. Although it may seem unconventional  to people nowadays, that is how people dressed in the nineteenth century. It inspired clothing today. It is great to imagine the millionaires these days walking around in powdered wigs, or women with flowers or strings of pearls in their hair.