the vicotrian fashion

Victorian fashion was named after Queen Victoria, who succeeded to the English throne in 1837 after her brothers died, leaving her to inherit the throne from her father, King George III. Queen Victoria will reign until 1901, making her the longest-serving queen in history. She is better known, though, for the fashion trends she launched during her reign. Because of her young age, the queen was both curious and daring, and she was, therefore, willing to pursue new items, such as bold fashion trends that would eventually outlive her and influence the fashion trends of future generations (Edwin). The victorian fashion era can be considered as one of fashion`s golden ages which saw the introduction of superior and timeless fashion on which numerous modern fashion trends have been built on.

The period during the reign of Queen Victoria, England experienced an economic expansion that led to people having disposable incomes that they could use on clothing and support new fashions (Monet). During the Victorian period, there was a lot of innovation in science and technology such as the large-scale manufacture of sewing machines and synthetic dyes (Edwin). These inventions made fashionable clothing easily accessible and cheaper and led to the growth of Victorian fashion.

Victorian fashion is better than modern fashion because of their regal nature and the amount of artistry that went into making the clothes as opposed to modern fashion which is largely casual and does not involve a lot of artistry. A lot of detail went into the fashions that were made during the Victorian era with artists seeking to express themselves. During this period, the designers experimented using various concepts, fabrics, and designs and in the process came up with timeless clothing fashions some which have outlived the Victorian era and into the modern age an example of this is the wedding dress. The modern-day wedding dress draws its inspiration from the Victorian era which is characterized by its regal appearance and the manner in which the neckline is revealed (Edwin). Queen Victoria promoted this fashion trend when she wore one to her wedding.

The fashion influence of the Victorian era lasted for more than a century, and even though the designs changed due to new materials and processes, they still retain their basic form. Modern trends, on the other hand, do not last long and fall out of favor with the public after a short period. Modern fashion is not revolutionary and has in many ways built on the foundation that was created in revolutionary fashion periods such as the Victorian era which introduced many novel fashion concepts. Victorian era designers were revolutionary therefore, they introduced new designs that were not there previously such as the umbrella-shaped dresses worn by women of the nobility. Design inventions such as the umbrella-shaped dress which was popular in the earlier period of the Victorian fashion era were a novel design that utilized new elements such as steel (Edwin).

The umbrella-shaped dress design was radical since it bore no similarity to any dress design that came before it. This design was also constantly improved on with designers utilizing new materials like steel, which was used in making a cage meant to give the wearer an hourglass shape that freed them from wearing heavy undergarments such as petticoats (Monet). Although the shape created was unnatural, it represented a large leap in technology since it was more hygienic and comfortable than previous designs.

This design would change in the period between the 1860s and 1890s through the incorporation of new design concepts and styling. The width of the dresses would gradually reduce starting in the 1860s, with slimmer figures began to be preferred and emphasis during this period being on the back which was made fuller (Monet). Due to advancements in technology, synthetic dyes began to emerge, and artists experimented with clothing, this experimentation is what led to the use of brightly colored fabrics to make clothes (Monet). This trend of reducing the waist size and emphasis on the back part of the ladies` gowns would go on till the 1890s which heralded the end of Victorian fashion. The designs had changed a lot since the advent of the Victorian age with the dresses during the last stages of this fashion era resembling modern fashion trends.

Modern fashion trends can therefore, be considered as being inferior to those of the Victorian era because they build on the designs that were introduced during that period. Many Modern dresses are made to favor a slim figure with the emphasis being on the exposure of the neck region and back; which was a Victorian design concept. Victorian era fashion trends, therefore, trump modern fashion due to the originality of the design concepts that were being created as well as the incorporation of new materials such as synthetic dyes and other materials like steel. The creative input that went into making a dress during the Victorian era is more than what is applied in the modern fashion industry which has largely been automated.

The formal nature of fashion during the Victorian era ensured the clothes were designed more intricately than modern designs which are largely casual and therefore, simplistic. Victorian era clothing featured more patterns and detailing such as on the drapery, corsets, and sleeves which made the clothes appear regal. The endorsement by the queen also played a part in influencing the regal appearance of designs during the Victorian period. Therefore, a lot of work went into the dressmaking to ensure that they lived up to the standards of the time which were set by the royal families and the nobility and thus a lot of craftsmanship was required.

Majority of the modern trends are casual since they are geared towards achieving commercial success. Modern fashion lacks the craftsmanship that Victorian-era clothing had owing to its simplistic nature, an example being the jeans trousers which are very simple. The focus on the commercial success of modern clothing has led less focus being paid on the craftsmanship behind clothing designs because it consumes a lot of time and therefore, automation is preferred since it is much cheaper.

Breaking down of the production process into stages is what makes simple designs favorable for clothing companies since they can be made at low costs. Another disadvantage of modern clothing is that innovation is hindered because of the inflexibility of the production processes in the factories to handling new designs that might require additional or fewer stages. The lack of innovation is what has led to the copying of popular designs and the lack of revolutionary designs like in the Victorian era. While Victorian era clothing relied on superior craftsmanship to attract customers modern fashion, on the other hand, is most concerned with lowering the prices leading to simplistic designs that lack originality.

Apart from dresses, the Victorian era fashion is also credited with inspiring modern footwear for women by pioneering the use of heeled shoes that are currently popular choices for modern women (Dolores). The early Victorian women did not wear heeled shoes and instead wore heelless ones that were primarily made up of satin, as time progressed, these shoes were made wider and a small heel added using leather. Since the 1870s, the height of the heels has increased exponentially with the front end of the shoe made more elongated and sharp and has undergone various changes over the years to resemble current heeled shoes such as stilettoes (Dolores). Currently, heeled shoes are the most popular choice for modern women and are worn for both casual and formal purposes.

The fact that heeled shoes were introduced in the Victorian era underlines the importance of that period to current fashion trends. Although the current heeled shoes may appear more refined and elegant, they have borrowed this concept from the Victorian era which is an indication of the timelessness of the designs that were introduced during that period. The designers of the Victorian era drew their inspiration from within themselves to come up with the fashion concepts and built on these ideas, continually refining them till they achieved a state of perfection. Majority of fashionable women`s shoes such as stilettoes are based on a design that was introduced during the Victorian era it can, therefore, be deduced that modern fashion lacks authenticity. The timelessness of Victorian shoe designs proves the superiority that clothing and footwear of this period have over modern fashion trends which lack authenticity.

The Victorian period is also known for the timeless trends in men`s fashion that were introduced during that period. During the Victorian era, the men too made changes to their fashions which were made formal by featuring things like ties and waistcoats since they were modeled after the monarchs and nobility who mainly dressed in formal wear (Victorian). Since the inspiration for the clothes were royals and noblemen, the men's fashion during the period was very refined and official.

In the earlier periods of the Victorian era, frock coats which were supplemented with a waistcoat were very popular, and it is this concept that the designers of the Victorian era would build on to come up with continuing designs (Emily). The Victorian era designers paired the coats with cotton shirts that had low collars which depending on the wearer, could be turned down. Shirts would then evolve in the 1850s and would be fitted with high collars that could then be folded over a necktie; this design would be slightly modified over the Victorian period (Victorian). Currently, High collared cotton shirts are the most popular formal dress choice for men which shows the resilience of designs introduced in the Victorian era.

It was also during the Victorian period that ties were fully incorporated into formal men`s wear, and although the shape of ties has evolved, they have retained the same design concept introduced in the Victorian age. The earlier form of modern ties began being popularized in the Victorian age in the form of bows, four in one piece, and slender ribbon ties (Victorian). Ties have also managed to outlive the Victorian era by maintaining their relevance even in the modern era of fashion proving the superiority of the Victorian era designers. Modern fashion designers can be said to be less superior than their Victorian counterparts who were able to come up with new and timeless designs.

The blazer which is currently available as a fashion choice for both official and casual wear can also trace its origin to the Victorian period. It was introduced in the late Victorian era which was in the 1890s and was mainly used during leisure activities such as sports (Victorian). This design would outlive the era in which it was created and into the modern age where it is worn by both men and women for mainly formal purposes since they resemble a suit but less official and more relaxed. The functionality offered by the blazer jacket is what has maintained its relevance signifying the importance of Victorian-era fashion and its superiority, which comes from its originality and timelessness.

The technological advancements in how clothes were made during the Victorian era also contributed a lot to the success of Victorian fashion key among them is the mass manufacture of sewing machines. This made mass production of clothing possible and the increase in supply led to lower prices making the fashions available to everyone regardless of their social status. Cheaper priced clothing led to an increase in demand and therefore, led to the recognition and acceptance of the designs introduced during this period which greatly contributed to their timelessness.

Victorian era fashion is undoubtedly one of the most if not the most important period of fashion innovations that would have an impact on fashions for generations. The designers of the Victorian era came up with original designs for clothes and shoes; this originality would ensure that some of these concepts and designs outlived their era and into the modern era. This innovation in fashion can be credited to the monarch who this period is named after, Queen Victoria. The endorsement by the queen gave Victorian fashion legitimacy and attracted gifted designers who were able to come up with revolutionary designs that their modern counterparts are building on. Victorian fashion was very original since the inspiration came from within the designers as opposed to modern designers who modify older designs to come with new models. Modern fashion designs such as the wedding dress, heeled shoes, and suits, despite being more sophisticated, they can be considered inferior because they are based on the designs introduced in the Victorian era which due to their originality have defied time.

Works Cited

Edwin. “Guest post: The Influence of Victorian Fashion on Modern Day Clothing.” The Victorian era, 16 Feb. 2017, 19thct.com/2012/04/13/guest-post-the-influence-of-victorian-fashion-on-modern-day-clothing/.

Leo, Alexandra. “The Victorian Inspired Fashion Trend: Then & Now.” Estilo Tendances, 13 June 2017, estilo-tendances.com/victorian-inspired-fashion/.

Monet, Dolores. “Women's Fashions of the Victorian Era: From Hoop Skirts to Bustles - 1837 - 1901.” Bellatory, Bellatory, 30 Mar. 2017, bellatory.com/fashion-industry/Fashion-History-Victorian-Costume-and-Design-Trends-1837-1900-With-Pictures.

Dolores, Monet. “History of Shoes - 19th and 20th Century Women's Footwear.” Bellatory, Bellatory, 1 Aug. 2017, bellatory.com/fashion-industry/HistoryofShoes19thand20thCenturyWomensFootwear.

Victorian Era. “Victorian Era Men's Fashion.” Victorian Era life in England. Victorians society & daily life, www.victorian-era.org/victorian-era-mens-fashion.html.

Emily Rose. “Victorian Era Men's Clothing - Men's Fashion in 1880s London.” Whitechapel Jack, 18 Feb. 2016, whitechapeljack.com/victorian-era-mens-clothing/.