Victorian Style in Dress

Unlike today, only the rich in the Victorian period could afford to be fashionable.  Wealthy Victorians dressed to impress and were easily recognized by their expensive, impractical clothes which reflected their luxurious lifestyle.  

AVictorian Governess Speaks of Clothing Styles

Having just received a new crinoline[i] and farthingale[ii] from the lady I have decided that this boom in industry is not such a bad thing. Now that the Mrs. is getting more clothes she needs more space in her closet and gives her old dresses to me. Personally she has many more dresses than she needs! She wears almost four a day. In the morning she has her white dress and pinafore. In the afternoon she has a tea dress made for sitting under the gazebo and gossiping with her friends. She has a dinner dress and if she and the sir are going anywhere she then puts on a lovely evening gown and an extra tight and high farthingale. In addition she also has a carriage dress that she wears on any long journey she goes on. She also has a nightgown and evening dress that she wears on nights she does no go out anywhere. It seems as though she is always changing. Whereas a governess like myself has but 3 dresses for the week, and a carriage dress. As for her appearance she does not wear make up-but pinches her cheeks to promote a rosy complexion and on the nights she goes out she once in a while rouges her lips making them look fuller. When she goes out of the house she also always takes a hat and wears a hatpin[iii] in it.

Mary and John the two lovely children whom I teach also wear very nice clothes. John has knickerbockers and trousers that he wears on regular days. The trousers come up to his knees and are good for running and playing in because they do not get trod on and ripped. He has one very nice outfit for Sundays and evening events. Mary wears a knee length gray or black skirt with a white blouse and jumper, her stockings are pulled up just under her knee. In the summer she wears a white dress and a pinafore[iv]. As she gets older she will start to wear longer skirts and dress, and her hair will be tied up in a ribbon, whereas now she has it cut to shoulder length.

The sir wears a black coat and trousers with a white shirt top hat, cane and gray gloves. In the winter he adds an overcoat, and his pants are striped. On vacation he wears plain gray knee breeches and a short coat or white ducks. The sir is also very fond of sporting, he enjoys cycling and shooting. When he participates in these he wears knickerbockers. At special events such as horse races and weddings he wears suit with a frock cloak, a light colored waistcoat, and a high silk hat that matches the waistcoat. Wearing second hand dresses often makes one feel out of place among the beautiful and elaborate dresses, but a governess is used to it and understands that it is just a way of life.

A Governess (Allie) on Victorian Styles

            The styles of dress today are terrible.  A woman can barely walk with those dresses that are tight around the knees, or the ones that flare out with bunches of layers.  Then there are the corsets[i].  They make you very uncomfortable, and then when someone is in my position, a governess[ii], running around taking care of little children all day, it seems like you can never sit down because of the pain that the dresses cause from running! It is tiring to run all around with young children and a large dress that is heavier than ones body weight plus the children’s’ weight!  Then there are the dresses that hug your knees.  There is no possible way to run with them on, let alone even walk with those dresses on.  The other women don’t mind the dresses because the can just sit around all day in luxury. 

There are some dresses passed down to thyself from thy mistress.  There are stains on some of them, but I cannot do a thing about it.  It would be better to have a much lighter dress then what there is. 

It may seem that being fashionable is everything[iii], but should fashion hurt?  Starting with the corsets[iv].  These are the worst.  Imagine having fat all bunched up into cloth, which is so tight around so you can barely breathe.  While trying to breathe, having a dress weighing more than someone at the same time, and taking care of young children, that is hard!  Doesn’t anyone understand?  No one can be perfect, there is at least one flaw in each and every person, young or old. 

In conclusion, these styles of dresses are pointless! Yes, they are pretty but are they needed?  No.  These dresses whether they flare out, or hug the knees, they are only worn to impress people and show off one’s class!  They should make more simple dresses for people and eliminate the distinctions of one’s class because of their clothes.  Then the people wearing the simple dresses wouldn’t be known as low classed.  Also, if we the people would take away the corsets, people would learn to be happy with what they look like and who they are, not who they want to be.      ~Allison Streakspeare