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Victorian Fashion
 Queen
Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901 and was succeeded by her son Edward the
Prince of Wales. At the start of the Victorian era most fashions lasted
about a decade, but mass production improved so much that by 1901 fashion
was moving in a yearly cycle.
The look of gentility was emphasized by the loss of hats
in 1835 for bonnets. Hats had given a flirtatious air to clothes and their
replacement by bonnets changed the whole character of day dresses. Bonnets
stayed in fashion for half a century but not worn much after 1890.
By 1839 the collapsed sleeve was much narrower, but
still retained a restrictive seam line on the dropped shoulder. The tight
fitting pointed bodice was much longer and had a very small tight fitting
waist. All the boned bodice seam lines and trims were directional to
emphasize the small waists.
By 1844 the boned bodice was even more elongated into a
V shape and the shoulder sleeve seam line drooped more. This meant that
woman's arm movements were very restricted. The limited range of arm
movement increased the appearance of demure vulnerability.
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Fashion
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Clothing Size Victorian
Textiles Hats
Socks Knickers
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