With the new Victorian bodice…

… and the skirts and bodices separated in the early Victorian era (started 1937), a tighter waist could be achieved.  The “robe”, or the “little white dress” of the prior Regency era had evolved into a “dress” made of bodice attached to skirt.  The fashion for 2 piece ensembles would last until about 1908, with the exception of rural dresses of the 1880’s.

(Day dresses 1823, 1837, 1848.  Oh what a difference a decade makes!  Regency with it’s high waist, single construction, natural waist, becomes cinched waist and huge top and bottom of early Victorian)