Fashions were followed by women much more carefully in earlier generations. This book explains in words and pictures, the fashion changes that took place between the 1840s and the 1890s. This book is valuable to anyone writing a book or article that even peripherally touches on what women wore during these years. This book covers the fashionably dressed in France, England, and America.
Beyond that milieu, this book also explains Victorian hair care, cosmetics, and what was proper wear for marriage, maternity, and mourning. Women wore specific clothing for different occasions, whether on holidays, riding horses, or attending events. This book shows what a well-dressed woman would wear. Millinery (a critical aspect of any lady's clothing) is also covered.
One of the charming additions is the explanation of unusual terms (of that era), including 'crinolines' (from the French for horsehair {crin} and linen {lin}). The author also explains fashion rules, such as unmarried women did not wear caps indoors unless they were over twenty-seven years of age and unmarried. Then, these spinsters wore indoor caps. There's even an overview of Charles Worth, the Father of Haute Couture. In addition, this book has fascinating tidbits, like the fact that women's waists averaged 22 inches in the early 1890s but, with tight lacing, were as small as 16 inches. Queen Victoria began the style of wearing a white dress for her wedding. Queen Victoria also set the tone for fashionable mourning.
My only complaint is that I'd like to have seen more photos, particularly of the millinery worn. Unfortunately, I had to refer to the Internet for these images. There weren't enough photos of the changes in fashion. I would have loved to have seen what an 'eel petticoat.' Nevertheless, this book chronicles the rapid changes in women's lives and styles during these 50 years.
Beyond that milieu, this book also explains Victorian hair care, cosmetics, and what was proper wear for marriage, maternity, and mourning. Women wore specific clothing for different occasions, whether on holidays, riding horses, or attending events. This book shows what a well-dressed woman would wear. Millinery (a critical aspect of any lady's clothing) is also covered.
One of the charming additions is the explanation of unusual terms (of that era), including 'crinolines' (from the French for horsehair {crin} and linen {lin}). The author also explains fashion rules, such as unmarried women did not wear caps indoors unless they were over twenty-seven years of age and unmarried. Then, these spinsters wore indoor caps. There's even an overview of Charles Worth, the Father of Haute Couture. In addition, this book has fascinating tidbits, like the fact that women's waists averaged 22 inches in the early 1890s but, with tight lacing, were as small as 16 inches. Queen Victoria began the style of wearing a white dress for her wedding. Queen Victoria also set the tone for fashionable mourning.
My only complaint is that I'd like to have seen more photos, particularly of the millinery worn. Unfortunately, I had to refer to the Internet for these images. There weren't enough photos of the changes in fashion. I would have loved to have seen what an 'eel petticoat.' Nevertheless, this book chronicles the rapid changes in women's lives and styles during these 50 years.
