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The "Gothic Era" Arrives
From 1840 to 1850 started the "gothic era" with there sagging ringlets and dragging skirts. Sleeves lost their large and puffy sleeves and became fitted. Also the shoulders were extended below their natural line and skirt hems lowered to the floor. Normally necklines were worn high during the day and wide in the evening. -
The "care crinoline" become popular.
In the beginning of 1850 to 1860 the cage crinoline or hoop had arrived on to the scene and skirts expanded to their maximum size. Women were pleased to wear the cage as it provided relief from the weight of many petticoats and surpassed undergarments that needed to be washed. The hoop was worn almost universally and could be seen on women, maids, the middle class. -
The era of the skirt began
So the skirt era began and it was to be that 30 years before, skirts were worn effortlessly by support structures. The round hoop of 1860 evolved into an oval hoop by 1864. As the skirt developed, the back emphasized a creation of the first bustle, which had appeared by 1868. The big, soft, high and very draped bustle skirt enjoyed its popularity for 8 years. -
The "cuirass bodice" arrives
In the early 1870s the shoulders returned to the position nature intended. In 1876-78 the long line "cuirass bodice" appeared. This reached to the hips in all its molded, and whale-boned magnificence. Everyday bodices had high raised necklines and fitted sleeves with ruffled cuffs on the wrists. The new look for evening was three-quarter length sleeves with a square neckline. -
Bringing the "bustle" back
Many requests had brought back the bustle in the early 1880's, but with changes. It was now worn at a lower placement with a narrower width. Dresses worn over this new frame were sturdier, as they were constructed in heavier fabrics such as velvet, satin and wool. Colors were darker with bottle green, deep wine, navy blue and black we're coming to use as colours. -
The "1830 sleeves" are back
In 1889 the bustle began to fade, possibly joined by its customers. By 1891 just a tiny bit remained. The gathers at the back of the skirt remained until 1900. When the bustle went out of style, sleeves began to grow and the 1830s hourglass revival was well underway. Sleeves ballooned to proportions never seen before or indeed since – reaching their height in 1895-96.
