Mass production, especially trims. In the 18th century, there was a lot of kilting and paper stuffing and bows and lace – but these were made from fabric castoffs and treasured and reused and remade.
By the 1880’s, every kind of rick rack, fringe, braid, and bead was stuck on whether it matched or not. Mass production meant easy availability and low cost, but it really meant a lot could be piled on.
(Images: 1716 lace trim overlays vs 1905 lace trim etc explodes!)