Corsets In Victorian Era

Compared to the Victorian era, our modern idea of “dressing up” is laughable. The Victorian era timeline took place from 1837 to the 1890s and is named after Britain’s Queen Victoria. Victorian women spent hours putting on tight corsets, enormous hoop-skirts, and ridiculous sized bustles. Contrary to today’s society, women power was almost nonexistent as well as opportunity, depending on the man, whether it be their father or husband. They also were expected to be obedient to the wishes of these men no matter the situation; whether it be a party or other social event, their intelligence and wit were restricted to whatever they were instructed. Employment was also limited from anything to a simple governess to a factory worker. In 1837, emerged the new craze of a slim waist and attention to be drawn towards the lower half of the woman and the bust of a woman, usually with the help of a corset, hoop-ring skirts, and bustles. Whalebone was originally used to make corsets, but then was replaced with steel; corsets were considered extremely unhealthy because they could damage and rearrange internal organs, birth defects, cancer, anemia, and miscarriages with constant use. Even with these dangers, women continued to wear them throughout the 19th century because they were a means of status, represented youth, and were said to give women support. Hoop-ring skirts were also used to achieve an hourglass figure. Crinoline was a heavy, inflexible fabric made from horsehair (which was almost never clean) that was laid on top of the hoop-ring skirt domes; they were much lighter than the
Sleeves on a ball gown were shortened. We say that women wore dresses, but the bodice and skirt were separated. Through most of the era, three quarter length sleeves were popular; near the end, bell shaped ruffles slowly started to rise in popularity. Bonnets started to become popular as