… having gone “round about” the Victorian Fashion Era (1837-1901 ish), as we were discussing the Aesthetic and Reform “counter fashion” movements at the same time which removed the corsets from some, and put women in fine fabrics and comfortable style, with the exception of a few things like wool swimsuits that sank in the water.
NOW we’ll talk about Queen Victoria of England, her children, their influences on women around the world, and when we get to sports and active wear, we’ll show you swimwear that was very near to today’s stretch fabrics, but much more revealing (and not only didn’t sink – made it across the English Channel).
In the Victorian beginning… Dutchess Victoria of Kent, crowned Queen Victoria, ruled England from 1837 until her death in 1901when her son Edward took the throne. She changed concepts of fashion, home furnishings, culture, and lifestyle for American and European women forever.
(Photo: Victoria’s REAL 1837 garments from the “Albert and Victoria” museum in London (where we get a lot of our extant pictures) left: morning/mourning dress worn to meet the Privy Council the minute after her uncle died, leaving her to be Queen; right: coronation ensemble)