Victorian Fancy Dress | Edwardian Costume Sales UK

Ladies fashion changed considerably during the Victorian era. After 1830 the fashion changed and the waistline dropped to its natural position. Corsets were worn again to emphasise a small waist and to support the bust. Skirts became fuller but also shorter, stopping at ankle length. Ladies wore elaborate boots and the shorter skirt length showed these off very nicely. Necklines were wide and the shoulders were sloped. A single hoop was worn and with the help of numerous petticoats, gave the skirts its full look.

Ladies would have worn many undergarments to get the desired look of the day. A typical lady would have worn long bloomers, a chemise, a starched petticoat, a crinoline (see next paragraph), a flounced petticoat, a muslin petticoat and finally the gown itself.

Crinolines were introduced around 1840. Initially they were two petticoats with a layer of horsehair sandwiched between to get the desired stiffness. By 1850, the crinoline cage became available. Made from steel or bamboo hoops, it made sitting down very difficult.

Issac Singer patented the mechanical sewing machine in 1851 making it possible for people on a lower income to create copies of their favourite styles.

By 1862 the crinoline had been flattened out at the front, first by only having half a cage (to the rear) and then becoming the bustle, a pad or small cage positioned to emphasis the bottom of the lady. Skirts became more elaborate and were drawn up at the back to reveal the petticoats underneath.

By the end of the century bustles had been replace by a padded roll.

No woman would go out in the summer without a parasol or to a function without a fan. Gloves were worn throughout the century.

Ladies Victorian fancy dress suggestions:
Queen Victoria
Florence Nightingale
Anne, Emily & Charlotte Bronte
Scarlett O'Hara

By mid century menswear had settled into what would be acceptable wear for the next century, namely a jacket, trousers, shirt and waistcoat. The colours were normally sombre and the fabric rich (if they could afford it!). Loosely knotted and bow ties were replacing the cravat. The tailcoat jacket was used for evening wear. In the earlier part of the century men would wear Top Hats (Stovepipe) these begun to be replaced by bowler hats by mid 1800s. Straw boaters and panama hats were used in the summer and softer hats were in fashion for informal occasions.

Men wore their hair longer than in the early part of the century with a centre parting. After 1850 a moustache and large sideburns (muttonchops) became popular.

A well dressed man would wear short, lace up boots during the day and carry a walking stick. For the evening he would wear patent leather shoes and gloves.


Mens Victorian fancy dress suggestions:
Charles Dickens
Prince Albert
Alexander Graham Bell
Isabard Kingdom Brunell
Lewis Carroll
Charles Darwin
Thomas Edison
William Gladstone
WG Grace
David Livingstone
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Peel
Rhett Butler
Jack The Ripper

The Edwardian era is the period 1901 to 1910, the reign of King Edward VII. The sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, the start of World War I in 1914, or even the end of the war in 1918 is often still considered Edwardian.

Fitted jackets and skirts started to become popular, especially for travelling. Lighter weight fabrics were used for weddings and more, heavy tweeds used for every day use. Men were opposed to this type of dress as it was consider too masculine. Ladies were starting the shift in their role in society and were looking for more independence.

Between 1900 and 1907 a corset (S-Bend Health Corset) was worn by fashionable ladies. It was laced so tightly at the waist that it forced the hips back and the chest forward to create an 'S' shape.

Press fasteners were available from 1905, although they had been available in America for a few years previously. These fasteners allowed the bodice to the attached to the skirt.

'Leg o' Mutton' sleeves got larger and larger. They were made out of lots of fabric which was gathered together at the cuff. This gave the look that the arms were larger at the top, tapering down to the wrist.

High necks on dresses or blouses were usual by day, but by night exceptionally low sweetheart, square and round décolleté necklines allowed women to wear quantities of fine jewellery.

Gloves were worn during the winter as well as the summer when outside.

Women were leading more and more active lives and began to reject the restrictive dress of the 19th century. Several designers started to produce clothing which followed the natural lines of the body. For the first time, some designers showed divided skirts (to form two very large trouser legs).

Ladies fashion was changed dramatically due to World War I. Skirts became fuller and shorter. Tailor made suits were manufactured with belted jackets, or shorter jackets and a nipped in waist. This style was know as the 'war crinoline'. By 1913 the corset had given way to bust bodice and a girdle to which stockings could be attached. Cami-knickers and a petticoat finished off the outfit.

By 1918 this had evolved to a straight dress, or skirt and jacket. These styles were inspired by the uniforms worn by the women doing voluntary service.
Ladies Edwardian fancy dress suggestions:
Titanic Characters
Emily (Emmeline) Pankhurst

Menswear styles set in the late 19th century were carried forward to this time. Most men still wore double- or single-breasted jackets with vests and long trousers. At the neck was most often a tie or bowtie, depending on taste. Between 1901 and 1910, the most visible change in men's attire was in the cut and shape of a suit. Odd details were changed, like a pleat on the waistband of the trouser to give a better fit. Jackets became tighter and the waist was emphasised. Sporting wear became popular and outfits were specially designed for motoring, cycling and bathing.

Dinner jackets (first appeared in 1880) were used for formal wear.

Men wore their hair ear length with a side parting unless they were in the Army where a 'short back and sides' was the only option.. Only older men wore beards.

By the end of the Edwardian period, men's clothing had evolved to what we are more familiar with at the end of the twentieth century.


Mens Edwardian fancy dress suggestions:
King Edward VII
George Bernard Shaw
HG Wells
Titanic Characters
Einstein
Lloyd George
George V
Dr. Crippen