Folks, it’s Friday so let’s go throwback Thursday instead! This week we’re going back to the late 80s, not the latest late 80s but the limited fashion of the late 1880s (aka we’re glad we’re alive today).
Societal Development
The 19th century was 100 years of cultural, societal and economical development. With the industrial revolution, different movements emerged. The fight for freedom, equality and rights for all people no matter of social range, ethnicity and gender was important. The century saw a rich evolution in the societal life in particular and an interest for history and how people lived was in center. The interest for history and previous styles in specific was crucial for how women dressed. Even though women gained more rights in society, they’d remain defined by the limited mobility fashion posessed. Notably, the last decade of real conservative fashion (that was true to a whole costume), would be the 1880s. Even though corsets would be used later, they wouldn’t be used to the same extent.
Styles of the 1880s
As mentioned, the people of the 19th century had a love for history. This meant that old styles would reappear in the light of a new interpretation. They took (what they thought), was the best of fashion history and made it their own. In center was the silhouette of women, where the 18th century body defying corsets and crinolines were used as corset and bustle. A bustle was a type of framework that gave the right support to the heavy dresses (see right). With a puffy bust, a thin waist and an enormous behind, women looked and undoubtedly felt rather uncomfortable. The well-known pigeon busts of the early 20th century emerged from this decade. But unlike the more handable S-silhouette of the Edwardian fashion, this was kind of 18th century extreme, but with the 19th century outtake (making sense, right?!).
Fashion of the 1880s
Silhouettes were in focus indeed, but that didn’t keep the rest of the clothes simple. No it was high collar pieces with ruffles, it was drapings, patterns and feminine colors. It was common to wear an underskirt with a dress over it, leaving the garment of the underskirt visible and contrasting. All the fabric that was left hanging behind was often tied up, creating a decorative effect. The industrial revolution made corsets that could be pulled even tighter and with the size of the bustle, women was forced to move in a rather specific way.
Final Notes
If this fashion feels distant to you, and the women who wore it, chokers were popular during this decade(!). And velvet was a popular material, which is the trend of the season this year. So even though it’s almost 140 years apart, we’re not separated by our different fashion but somewhat connected. And hey, not to forget, the aesthetic dress movement developed during this time. Aesthetic dresses were flowy bohemian maxi dresses, and we’re familiar with that, aren’t we?
the expectation of such thin waist must be really hard for women back then.
Oh Dear Bumblebees
It must have been indeed, crazy to live with! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
So interesting to learn something about this epoch!
Thank you so much for your last comment!
Xx
Larissa
conscious lifestyle of mine
Thank you, lovely to hear! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Omgosh I can’t imagine wearing a tight corset underneath! And that’s so interesting that they were chokers around this time!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
It must have been so painful! And yes, they would’ve been rather chic today haha! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
This is awesome! I really love how informative this is, and I definitely didn’t think of the connection between then and now. I usually think of fashion repeating in terms of a span of several decades not centuries. Thanks for sharing!
~Andrea Tiffany~
aglimpseofglam.blogspot.com
Thank you love! Fashion seems to come back when it feels like (haha not really but…), and it’s fun to see how we take old trends and incorperate them into new styles! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
So cool to look back at fashion back in the day! Thanks for sharing xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
It is indeed, lovely to know a bit more about fashion history! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
It is amazing that a mere forty years later women were dressing more or less like they do today. Such a fascinating transitional time in history.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Indeed, it really went quick from the late 19th to the 1920s! But thankfully, the change happened! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
It’s amazing!!
xx
http://lailusiondenina.blogspot.com.es/
Yes and crazy at the same time! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I had no idea the fashion during this time was so restrictive. I mean, I did, but I guess I’ve never really thought about it. I thought it would’ve been less so by then. I love how you linked it to modern fashion as well. Great post!
Amber | y a c h t s m a a n
It was madly restrictive, hard to put in words and hard to understand, but fashion and they way one was supposed to look was just an institution itself! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
This was so interesting! The silhouettes were certainly unnatural back then, but fascinating that they were wearing velvet chokers! x
Kate Louise Blogs
Yes, it’s mad to see how people thought the silhouette seemed like a good idea! It’s beautiful, but oh so painful! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I would never have thought that it is 1880 that we are seeing in fashion right now. That is amazing.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
It’s not only 1880s fashion, but yes definitely that the trends we see now have been a part of earlier fashion centuries! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Loving this post yet again. I can’t imagine wearing a corset under my clothes and not having the ability to move or breath or have room for a food baby post meal! This has kind have come back in a way, not for fashion but with all the waist training trends I’ve been seeing around lately. I am such a big fan of chokers and always thought that they came from the 90s but you are so right! They wore them way back then and have resurfaced a few times now.
Thanks again for your fashion knowledge and wisdom!
xoxo Rina
http://www.andshedressed.com
Haha same here, the food baby post meals must have been terribly. Thinking that social events was so important, including eating and drinking, it must have been mad how much they’ve must have felt pain in one way or another! Thank you so so much love, always lovely comments! So much love girl! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Isn’t it crazy how far and how much fashion has evolved over the years? I have read about it before but it’s fascinating.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
It’s crazy indeed, and crazy that we’re still stuck with some beauty ideals and clothes on how one can achieve them. But luckily, they’re not part of the “do or die” life! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I’m so glad I don’t live in those times. the clothing looks so restricting!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Same here, they decreased the mobility so much! But would love to go back and just try it! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Interesting post! Thank you:)
Blog: http://idalaida.ru/
insta: @ida_l_aida
Thank you so much! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Now that you’ve broken it down like that I can see how uncomfortable that must have been then. At least they had decorative chokers though! hah.
-M
Violet Roots || Instagram || Twitter
Hahah well yes, they paid a high price for looking on fleek! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Such interesting post
http://www.alessandrastyle.com
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
This is so inspiring! I love the post:)
http://www.irenethayer.com
Thank you, fashion history is a fun one! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Great post!!
http://www.brooklynglam.com
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Yikes, I’m glad we don’t have to deal with corsets and fussy clothes like that today! Although you’re right, I’m seeing lace and velvet everywhere right now–I’ll take that part of the style for sure!
Yes, it definitely feels like we’ve taken the easy parts of the fashion and made them modern with what we wear today! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
lovely:)
NEW BLOG ! please follow me : YOUNG BLOG
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I agree, they look like they couldn’t breathe. They look cute though. But stil wouldn’t wear it.
Xo, Christianne
http://simplychristianne.com
They certainly felt the limited mobility! Would love to go back and test what it felt like! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Great throwback. I love to see how fashion keeps evolving. The return of velvet and chokers makes me very happy cos I love those. Awesome post.
http://fashionablyidu.com/
Same here, they’re both very chic features! And so cool that people wore it in the 19th century too! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I really love old fashion sweetie. Incredible and cool post
kisses
Maggie Dallospedale Fashion diary – Fashion blog
That’s so good! Glad that you liked it, fashion history is always a blast! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I guess we can relate to that now 🙂
MY KIND OF JOY
We certainly can, at least when it comes to the details! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Such an educational post!
http://thelondonthing.co.uk/
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Such a great history post on fashion! Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a Happy Weekend!!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thank you! It’s always fun to go back and se what people worked! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Great post! I always learn something here. Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
That’s lovely to hear! Thank you Gemma, makes me so happy! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Wow, very interesting. I’ve always wanted to wear a historic outfit like this just for the fun of it!
Enclothed Cognition
Same here, it’d be so much fun to just go back for a day! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Though quite cool looking, must have been torture to walk around in such pieces. I like how fashion always comes back.
xo
http://www.carinavardie.com
It must have indeed, it was equally as much about the way they moved as it was about whay they acutally worked! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Loving this look back!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
It’s always fun to go back and see what people wore! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
This must be the best post I’ve seen lately. I enjoyed it so much and I just love the topic 🙂
Have a great weekend!
fashionabejita.blogspot.com
Thank you so so much, that’s so kind of you! Love fashion history too, it’s a fun one! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Love this! Awesome to go back and learn more about the 80’s. Enjoyed this post.
Sincerely,
aikocunanan.com
Thank you so much! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I’m a fan of old fashion! Wish we can turn back time
Lou of, Steal the Style
It’d be so much fun to go back for a day and try it! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I love the fashion will always be cyclical and come back around! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Same here! It’s fun to see how we take old looks and turn them into something new! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com