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Corset
Introduced into women’s fashion in 1490, made out of whalebone or horn. Throughout the ages different corsets were worn to shape the female body into different silhouettes. In the late 1600s a straight vertical line was wanted. 1780-89 the corset adopted a rounded form accommodating the feminine form. In 1828 Metal eyelets were invented, allowing corsets to endure greater stress during lacing. 1890 and angular shape is popularized, with a tiny waist and emphasis on the bust and hips. -
The Round Hoop
Garment with a frame of whalebone or of whicker or osier basketwork. They could be as wide as 18 feet, and have up to 7 hoops or 8 yards wide. The round hoop of 1860 evolved into an oval hoop by 1864. As the skirt developed the back emphasis saw the creation of the first bustle, which had appeared by 1868. The big, soft, high, and very draped skirt enjoyed its popularity for 8 years. -
Victorian
In the 1880s, riding habits had a matching jacket and skirt, a high collared shirt, and a top hat with a veil. Hunting costumes had draped ankle-length skirts worn with boots or gaiters. By the 1890s women’s fashion became simpler and less extravagant; dresses were not as tight as before. Corsets were still used but became slightly longer creating an S-curve silhouette. High necks and puffed sleeves became popular. -
1900- 1910
As the Victorian era drew to a close, skirts for both day and evening were elongated at the back to form a train. The skirts silhouette was slim and any volume was concentrated to the bottom half of the skirt. Ladies wore high necks during the day, and dresses sleeves were fitted from shoulder to wrist. Paul Poiret, was the most prominent designer in Paris during this time. He showed slim, straight skirts with fewer undergarments. He loosened corsets and used lace and applique. -
Coco Chanel
The little black dress created by Coco Chanel after WWI. It was in this post war period that Chanel began liberating women freeing them from the bondage of corsets. It was the famous little black dress made from jersey (men’s underwear material) - labeled the Chanel Ford - because everyone had to have one. That made it chic for women to be minimalist and to embrace a more boyish figure. -
The Utility Dress
Called the Utility Dress because it was made under the Utility Scheme. Introduced in 1941 when the British Government Rationed clothes. Due to less fabric being available, clothes had to be simpler - Squared shoulders, narrow hips, and skirts that ended just below the knee were the height of fashion – inside the dress was the label CC41 which stands for Civilian Clothing 1941.
