An evolved fashion era

An evolved fashion era

Rachel Perez '23

Around Campus Editor

Nineteenth-century fashion is known for its unique fashion designs. As time goes on, we evolve, but so does fashion. When we take a glance at modern styles, we can conclude historical trends inspired it. Whether we are looking at sleeves or the heels on boots, there is always more to clothes than meets the eye. Let us take a look at some evolved fashion!

Paper doll of Queen Victoria (made by Rachel Perez)

Bridal Fashion

When matrimony comes to mind, the first thing one might think of is the bride’s white dress. White wedding dresses have been trending for many years, thanks to Queen Victoria.


Before the young queen’s matrimony in 1840, brides would wear bright, colorful dresses. If the bride wore a white dress, it was to showcase her family’s wealth since her family could afford a clean white wedding gown.


Victoria had multiple reasons for her strange decision. The queen decided that white would be the perfect color to show off the handmade Honiton laces on her dress. Victoria chose to commission the lace from a small village in England named Beer, to support the declining lace trade and benefit the industry.


Another reason Victoria chose to wear a white wedding gown was to display herself as an innocent woman who is getting married for love rather than her country.


Today, brides wear white wedding dresses that symbolize purity, but we have Victoria to thank for the beautiful trend.

Sleeves and Empire Waist Dresses

Mutton sleeves are seen in dresses and blouses today. They were first seen in the 16th century but came back in style during the late 1820s, early 1830s and the 1890s. The reason behind the name “mutton sleeves” is its lamb leg shape.


In 1895 the size of the sleeves varied. Oversized sleeves that required 1 or 2 yards of fabric were popular. Mutton sleeves are still trending today, and a perfect example is Princess Diana’s Wedding Dress.


Mutton sleeves fashion never wholly disappeared. There are tons of people who still wear blouses and dresses with mutton sleeves.

Modern day blouse with Mutton Sleeves (Picture by Rachel Perez)

Empire Style Dress and Modern Day blouse. (Art by Rachel Perez)

The Regency Era was from 1811 to 1820, and people wore beautiful dresses in all colors. The dresses worn in the Regency Period were called Empire Waist dresses; they had a short bodice that only covers the bosom area. In the early 1800s, the Empire Waist dress was characterized by its high waistline. It appears in the 1790s and is seen frequently in women’s clothing design over the past 200 years.


Most Empire Waist dresses were made out of Muslin Fabric, which is a soft and delicate fabric. Today, some blouses and sundresses that you can find at clothing stores are marked under the bust area, just like an Empire Waist dress.

Accessories, Corsets, and More

During the 1870s, choker necklaces became popular, and credit is given to Queen Alexandra, who used to accessorize herself with chokers to hide a scar on her neck. The fashion statement quickly became popular among women. The chokers were a velvet ribbon tied high around the neck. This trend is still alive. Some people accessorize themselves with black stripes to emphasize a gothic look.

Queen Alexandra and her choker necklace. (Art by Rachel Perez)

Corsets over the years (Art by Rachel Perez)

Corsets are known for the danger they entail. Luckily women do not usually choose to go through the pain of corsets in modern times. Corsets were mostly made of whalebone and steel. It encircles the rib and constricts the natural waist to form an hourglass figure, which was popular in the 19th century.


Corsets were worn by upper-class women, middle-class women and over time, working-class women wore them. Women today still form themselves, though with waist trainers and Spanx, to name a few methods. Some women decide to use corsets, but the garment is thankfully not as popular as it was before. Corsets are also worn by history enthusiasts for fun!

Next time 19th-century fashion comes to mind, check your closet and see if you have any clothing inspired by 19th-century styles! If you have clothing with these features, have fun and remember the beautiful yet dangerous history behind it. Always remember that there is more to things than meets the eye.