Fashions Through the Ages

 I have frequently seen any and all historic doll fashions
called "Victorian".  While fashions can share some
characteristics, it is fun to learn about how they 
were quite different over the past 600 years!

We will begin with the Renaissance.

Renaissance 1300 - 1600

The Renaissance marked the transition from the

Dark Ages to the Modern era.  

Renaissance Courtiers

Fashions of this time were elaborate and

highly decorated. Fabric was hard to 

make and expensive to buy.

Garments that were torn or damaged would

be remade into other items.

Long sleeved underdress with a

laced front robe. 

Long pointed sleeves and layered robes

were commonly worn in court.

These styles could mix and match for

stretching a courtiers wardrobe.

Common people wore homespun clothes

These were not decorative and mostly 

utilitarian.

Cinderella Day Dress

A perfect example is Cinderella before

her Fairy Godmother appears!

Elizabethan 1569 - 1603

Queen Elizabeth I 

Elizabethan clothes were ornate

and heavily embelished to an even

greater degree than during 

the Renaissance.

Extravagant hoods and decorative head 

covereings were worn by noblewomen.

Dresses and hoods were often adorned 

with gold braid, pearls and jewels.

The Miniature Historian

American Quaker Pilgrims

Meanwhile in the American Colonies

fashion was quite austere in comparison.

The Pilgrims valued humility and 

sought simplicity in every aspect of life.

Women wore black or grey dresses

and plain white hoods and aprons.

Keepers Dolly Duds

Baroque and Roccoco 1625 - 1789

Queen Anne, Georgian and Colonial styles all

fall under the Baroque and Roccoco era of fashion.

In England this was the Georgian Era, 

in America the Colonial or

Revolutionary Era.

King George III and President George Washington were

adversarys during our American Revolution.

Not long after the American Revoltion 

The French also had their own Revolution.

This dress was inspired by Marie Antoinette 

of the pre-revolutionary French court.

Small World Couture

The fashions of this era were noted for

square necklines and ruffles at the elbow.

Underskirt side panniers made the dresses

pan out at the sides.

Felicity's accessories included panniers, 

pocket and corset. The pocket was like 

a little hidden purse worn under

your skirt for security. The underskirt

Had an opening so that the pocket 

could be reached when needed.

Felicity and Elizabeth were from America's

Colonial era.

Panniers created that wide dress look

popular in the colonies.

You can see the difference in the look of 

Elizabeth's dress when panniers 

were added.

Dresses had that square neckline because

they were made from a robe-like outer 

dress held together with a stomacher.

The stomachers could be made from 

different fabrics and different decorations

to create different looks.

An underskirt would be worn under the 

robe and stomacher. The underskirt

could be made from different fabrics 

As well, to change a dress's look.

A lady would frequently use a "Tucker Scarf"

This would sometimes be pinned around the 

shoulders but also could be "tucked" 

into the bodice

Elizabeth's summer dress and hat.

Wide flat hats would be worn over

a pinner cap.

Empire Era 1804 - 1816

These are the years of the reign of

Napoleon Bonaparte of France,

Most of Europe was at war 

with Napoleon.

Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte

Josefine Bonaparte began the fashion of high

waisted dresses in order to hide her pregnancies.  

This gave rise to the term

"Empire Wasit-line"

This is a lovely example of an Empire waistline 

dress. Her purple shawl and ribbons would

denote that she was in half-mourning.

After 6 months of losing a loved one,

a lady might choose to wear lavender

 or purple instead of black.

Caroline is from this era. Young girls wore higher

hemlines to keep their hems from getting dirty.

Regency Era 1911 - 1820

During this period, Prince George 

was Regent of England.

The regent ruled in place of his father, 

King George, who was mentally

 unstable and incapable of ruling.

This lovely dress and Spencer is from

Pemberley Threads

This is a great site for purchasing

historical sewing paterns!

Josefina is also from this era. She is wearing a

dress I made several years ago.

This is Josefina's party dress with

a Spencer jacket.

Antebellum/ Civil War 1812 - 1865

Antebellum, or before the war, ladies wore

elaborate hooped dresses.  The hoops were

covered with layers and layers of crinolone.

Doll Clothes of Yore

These lovely day dresses were made by

Maison Empress

Marie Grace is from this era...

As is Cecil Ray

Day dresses were less extravagant,

but equally lovely.

In the Northern states, the fashions were 

more practical in fabric and style.

Colder winters required heavier

woolen fabrics.

Victorian Era 1837 - 1901

Victoria's reign overlaps our Civial War era

somewhat.  Early in her reign the hoops and 

crinoline style dress was still popular.

Queen Victoria was only 18 years old when

she became queen. She is shown here

wearing a crinoline dress.

These images show how much women's

 fashions changed during the Victorian era.

The bustle is most associated with this era.

Here is a simple bustle undergarment.

Mother of Nine Etsy Shop

Ladies Walking Dress

Young girls day dress

Pemberley Threads

Edwardian Era 1901 - 1910

frequently lumped into the Victorian era

This was an important transitional era

in fashion.

King Edward VII was the second child and

eldest son of Queen Victoria.

Skirts became narrower as heavy metal bustles

were becoming less popular. Waistlines dropped

and in girls fashions were worn at the hip.

Samantha was from the Edwardian era. 

You can see how low her waistline is.

Samantha's friend Nellie was from this era as well.

Pixie Faire

This era is associated with the beginning 

of the Downton Abbey series.

Velvets, furs and large elaborate hats

became the rage.

Crabapples Fashions

World War I  1914 - 1918

The advent of World War I had a

significant impact on fashion.

Dresses became simpler as women had to

be more practical during wartime.

Hemlines were raised and heavy

slips and bustles were gone!

Ladies were freer in their movements and

had less restricted lives this is 

reflected in their dresses.

Ruth Loves to Sew Etsy Shop

Elaborate headbands and cloche hats were

the new look in headwear.

Although "flappers" are frequently shown in very 

short skirts and lots of fringe, this has been

exaggerated a great deal. Hemlines were

below the knee and quite conservative.

the most risque dress style was sleeveless.

We are going to end here, even though 

I love the eras that come next!

I hope you enjoyed this stroll through history.

We learn a lot from fashion. We learn about how 

women were perceived as well as how they 

moved in society, literally and figuratively.

As doll collectors we keep some of that

history alive!

Note: I have tried to link the maker of each historic

doll dress I have shown.  I could not always find a link.

If anyone knows of the maker of any of these

doll fashions shown, please let me know!