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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
These lovely day dresses were made by
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.
Ladies Walking Dress
Young girls day dress
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.
This era is associated with the beginning
of the Downton Abbey series.
Velvets, furs and large elaborate hats
became the rage.
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.
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!
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