1850's Fashion History presented by Apparel Search

Fashion Industry   Fashion History   Color Trend Forecasting    Artist Guide   Merchandising    Fashion Industry News   Definition List

1850s fashion in European and European-influenced clothing is characterized by an increase in the width of women's skirts supported by crinolines or hoops, and the beginnings of dress reform.

Women's Fashion

In the 1850s, the domed skirts of the 1840s continued to expand. Skirts were made fuller by means of flounces (deep ruffles), usually in tiers of three, gathered tightly at the top and stiffened with horsehair braid at the bottom.

Early in the decade, bodices of day dresses featured panels over the shoulders that were gathered into a blunt point at the slightly dropped waist. These bodices generally fastened in back by means of hooks and eyes, but a new fashion for a jacket bodice appeared as well, buttoned in front and worn over a chemisette. Wider bell-shaped or pagoda sleeves were worn over falso undersleeves or engageantes of cotton or linen.

Evening dresses were very low-necked, falling off the shoulders, and had short sleeves.

The introduction of the steel cage crinoline in 1856 provided a means for expanding the skirt still further, and flounces gradually disappeared in favor of a skirt lying more smoothly over the petticoat and hoops. Pantalettes were essential under this new fashion for modesty's sake.

fabrics

Special dress fabrics were printed la disposition, with a small figured print over most of the fabric and an elaborate coordinating border print down one selvage. Dresses were made up so the border print decorated the flounces and parts of the bodice or sleeves.

Outerwear

Coats were impractical over the very wide skirts, and the fashionable outer garment was an Indian shawl or one woven in Paisley, Renfrewshire in a paisley pattern in imitation of Indian styles. Hooded cloaks were also worn.

Hairstyles and headgear

Hair was dressed simply, in a chignon with the sides puffed out over the ears or with clusters of curls to either side in imitation of early 17th century fashions. Deep bonnets were worn outdoors.

1800's fashion image and definition to illustrate this fashion time period in history

1859 fashion plate from the "Gazette of Fashion", showing both male and female daywear, with sea bathing scene in the background (including bathing machines). Scanned by H. Churchyard

The above article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1850s_in_fashion   1/13/06

Designer Definition (from U.S Department of Labor)

Clothing Definitions

Fashion Accessories

Style

Catwalk

Designer Definition Guide

Clothing Brand Names

Learn about another era in fashion:

1550-1600 Fashion History

1600-1650 Fashion History

1700-1750 Fashion History

1750-1795 Fashion History

1820' Fashion History

1830's-1840's Fashion History

1850's Fashion History

1860's Fashion History

1870's Fashion History

1890's Fashion History

1960's Fashion History

1970's Fashion History

1980's Fashion History (terms section)

1990's Fashion History

Artistic Dress Movement

Victorian Fashion

History of Western Fashion

Elizabethan Fashion

Edwardian Fashion Styles


Clothing & Fashion Industry Definitions

fabric & Textile Industry Definitions

Fashion Terms / Fashion History / Fashion Designers / Fashion Brands etc.

Dye & Dyeing Industry Terms

Embroidery & Embroidery Industry Terms

fibers & fiber Industry Definitions

Sewing Terms & Definitions

yarns & yarn Industry Definitions

Hat & Headwear Definitions

Footwear & Shoe Industry Definitions

Shipping Industry Freight Definitions

Miscellaneous Apparel Industry Terms

Apparel Search   Add Your Company   Contact Us   About Us   Advertise   News Letter   Legal   Help
Copyright © 1999-2023 Apparel Search Company.  All Rights Reserved.