… as Victorians began to recognize women as thinking people. As the year 1900 approached, women intellectuals began to speak openly. Many joined the Fabian Society, a group of socialists. Others sought reform for more practical dress (e.g. no corsets), better education, the right to keep their profits from paid …
…everywhere and at all social and class levels. New inventions and how to use them opened doors for poor women to improve their situations through work. Acceptance of women as thinking beings as the era progressed closed the gap to give women common causes to rally around. The place men …
… Victorian fashion required different ensembles for different occasions. Designer Charles Worth, an Englishman-turned-Parisian-designer, introduced the word “costume” at this time, and Victoria expanded upon the concept for her country. “Costume” meant there was morning and mourning dress, walking dress, town dress, visiting dress, receiving visitors dress, traveling dress, shooting …
“This is obviously not about comfort or convenience.” Our calming “Mom” Gal, Kristi depicts a mail order bride from the east who travels along the Oregon Trail to Wyoming. She depicts every stage of an historical woman’s life – emigrant, pioneer, settler – mother, daughter, sister, wife… and has a …
“Thanks for letting me be a part of the event!” Carol stepped in as narrator for the Buffalo Gals’ fashion show which introduced the group to the public and potential clients. Having the most difficult ensemble to dress with stays including stomacher, bust, and modesty panel PLUS outer 1765 stomacher …
… was very different. An affluent wife was supposed to spend her time reading, sewing, receiving guests, going visiting, letter writing, seeing to the servants, and dressing the part of her husband’s social representative. Her clothing was made specifically to show off wealth, and that became more and more lavish …
.. even though husbands kept mistresses, and were free to mingle in their “gentlemen’s clubs” where they could find a warm welcome among male friends, and often comfort in a woman’s. If a women took a lover it was never to be made public because if it did become public …
…marriage. Girls were groomed like racehorses in preparation for that, making sure she could sing, play an instrument, speak foreign languages, and above all be innocent, virtuous, biddable, dutiful, and ignorant of all intellectual opinion. (Colorized photo: Dating in 1860’s upper Manhatten, USA)
… wielded their swords.” (Tennyson). The prevailing attitude of men towards women in the Victorian Era was that all women were weak and helpless fragile and delicate flowers incapable of making decisions beyond selecting the menu and children were taught moral values. A gentlewoman ensured that the home was a …
…Victorian women. While the houses, streets, and many of the gadgets we use today were just earlier versions of what we have today (pianos, carpet sweepers, sewing machines), the main difference was the place of women in society. A woman’s place was in the home. There were of course, independent …
