Victorian Wedding Dresses Essay Example

The summers were very hot and dangerous for a woman's body. The first layer is the chemise, which is a undergarment that reaches just below the knees and has a drawstring neckline. The drawers have a back button closure and are designed for leg convenience. The length goes down to the calves and has embroidered hems. The second layer is the corset, which is laced up in the back and has a busked closure in the front.

The corset is covered by the under petticoat in the third layer of clothing, typically plain in appearance. A hoop petticoat serves as the fourth layer, offering an alternative to multiple layers for added volume below the waist. The over petticoat, the fifth layer, often features an intricately embroidered hem. As for the sixth and final layer of clothing, it is the dress, typically with fitted longer sleeves. Cartridge pleating occasionally adds to its popularity. The attire significantly alters the shape of women’s bodies.

Despite the uncomfortable and restrictive nature of corsets, they played a crucial role in creating an illusion of an incredibly small waist for Victorian women. The reason why these women willingly subjected themselves to such extreme measures is a question that arises. From the 1840s until around 1910, corsets remained an essential part of women's fashion until the emergence of the Feminist Dress Reform movement, which was influenced by the First World War. Throughout its existence, corsets' main purpose has been to shape and refine the body by compressing the waist and enhancing the bust, with a goal to highlight feminine curves. Made from heavy satin and extensively reinforced with whalebone, corsets

were indispensable elements in shaping women's bodies during this era.

The daily dress for women included a steel busk that fastened from the front, with an ideal size of 18 inches to achieve an hourglass figure based on Sheldon's somatotypes. Some reports even mentioned women wearing corsets as small as 12 inches. The tight corset symbolized proper etiquette and artificial living, making it a dominant fashion trend for many years. Moreover, the corset played a role in categorizing women from various social classes, with the upper class setting the trends and being the primary users of corsets while the working class also followed suit.

The dresses in this collection are renowned for their exquisite embroidery and intricate detailing, while also capturing a sense of tradition. Over time, various styles of headdresses have been worn during wedding ceremonies to symbolize the bridal legend. During the Victorian Era, Orange Blossoms emerged as the favored traditional headdress option. These headdresses were crafted solely from yellow-white orange flowers. However, in colder regions where citrus fruits could not thrive, wax replicas were utilized as substitutes for orange blossoms. These headdresses represent qualities such as individuality, attractiveness, and emotion.

Queen Victoria established several traditions that are still used today on her wedding day, including wearing a veil and carrying a nosegay or tussie-mussie, a small hand tied bouquet of flowers popular among the upper class. When Queen Victoria wore these items, they symbolized fruitfulness and were used to mask body odor, as personal hygiene was not a common practice at that time.

However, it is quite intriguing how body language was incorporated into body modifications of accessories.

Additionally, Queen Victoria started a new trend by breaking the habit of having a late evening ceremony and instead held an early afternoon wedding to rejoice with the public. Moreover, the climate of the area as well as the constrictions from corsets and the weight of garments impacted a woman's health and prevented some women from walking.

Corsets were an essential component of the entire ensemble, an item you could not do without. Yet, over time, they had the effect of diminishing one's appetite and consequently body fat. Additionally, they hindered one's ability to breathe properly due to their tightness, resulting in reduced oxygen levels. Furthermore, they exerted pressure on the chest and maintained abdominal pressure. This pressure caused deformation of the stomach and liver, along with decreased lung capacity, intercostal breathing, and physical disfigurements. One common and serious risk associated with prolonged corset wearing was the development of Glenard's disease.

The condition includes a reduction in abdominal muscle tone, displacement of visceral organs, and atrophy in the abdominal wall. It is incredible how these women tolerate pain, discomfort, and health risks to fit into their idea of an ideal woman. This period was marked by a small sense of freedom and a longing to escape from Victorian attitudes linked with rigidity, secrecy, misleading information, restrictions, and taboos (whether deservedly or unfairly assigned).

The Victorian Era was a distinctive and crucial time in fashion history, impacting not only the ideal appearance for women but also introducing intricate dressing styles. Accessories may have originated from this era. This period also played a significant role in traditional fashion, especially regarding wedding dresses that

displayed graceful beauty. The concept of world cultures encompasses the progress of societies and cultures globally. By examining how individuals dress within a specific society, we can obtain valuable understanding about their lifestyle.

The classification of global cultures relies on scales encompassing domestic, political, and commercial aspects. Nonetheless, various essential elements aid our comprehension of these scales, including society, economy, technology, human population, politics/government, ideology, and dress. All these factors are instrumental in establishing a culture. The Victorian Era witnessed numerous cultural shifts that have significantly influenced the present world. Furthermore, during this era, the United Kingdom held the distinction of being the world's most dominant nation.

The Victorian Era witnessed a profound cultural transformation that brought about advancements which reshaped society. Initially, the economy depended largely on agriculture, but its instability caused by unpredictable weather and harvests presented challenges. Nevertheless, there was a compensatory free market/trading system established. Eventually, industrial development and urbanization emerged, gradually supplanting the rural communities.

The rise of factories allowed for mass production, resulting in the creation of more plentiful goods at a quicker rate to meet people's demands. Moreover, the expansion of steam-powered railways made transportation easier and facilitated international trade with the emergence of steam ships. During this time period, the telegraph experienced substantial growth as a tool for global business and communication until it was overshadowed by the groundbreaking invention of the telephone, which revolutionized communication by providing faster and broader reach. Additionally, 1895 marked the invention of X-rays.

The Age of Media dawned during the Victorian Era, bringing advancements such as photography and cinema. These technologies played a crucial role in popularizing

Victorian wedding dresses. Throughout this era, Queen Victoria held a divine status as the ruler and favored imperialism. Additionally, priests gained power in the government and established laws. Towards the end of the era, a laissez-faire government prevailed, exercising control over the population and promoting capitalism.

Although there were differences among these laws, they all moved towards paternalism in public health and poor laws - the management or governing of individuals, businesses, nations, etc. However, these laws faced significant restrictions. As personal relationships deteriorated, new loyalties had to arise to fill the gap. In close-knit rural communities, people did not trace their origins back to the church. The prevalent religion during that period was referred to as "church-goers," with a substantial number initially being members of the Anglican Church.

The rise in popularity of Methodism in Great Britain was due to its alignment with values such as hard work, self-discipline, and a self-made attitude. However, this religion primarily focused on men's participation in business, commerce, and politics while limiting women to private settings. As time passed, dissatisfaction grew among society towards government-imposed laws and regulations.

The government of Great Britain experienced significant changes over a period of about 60 years. Initially, it was ruled by Divine Kings/Queens and Priests who belonged to the Whig Party and held liberal views. This phase was characterized by rulers associated with the Whig Party and their liberal beliefs. In the middle phase, there was a shift towards Prime Ministers and Imperialism. Finally, in the later stage of the Victorian Era, the government transformed into a Representative or even Democratic political system.

During this time, there

was a substantial increase in population in Great Britain. In 1851, it stood at 16.8 million and grew to 30.5 million by 1901. The doubling of population clearly played a role in shaping changes within the government as people gained more power.

In the Victorian Era, society was divided into three classes: Upper Class, Middle Class, and Lower Class. The Upper Class inherited their wealth without working, while the Middle Class consisted of working individuals in "clean" environments. The Lower Class included peasants who either did not work or worked in harsh conditions for minimal pay. Despite this social divide, fashion during this time period paradoxically emphasized both the breasts and hips. To achieve this desired look, women would wear corsets and layer multiple pieces of clothing. These strict style expectations dictated that a gown should not go lower than 3 finger breadths below the collarbone and dresses were required to cover the ankles.

In the Victorian era, wedding dresses were not white but instead had a cream or ivory color to compliment the brides' complexion. The designs of these dresses were influenced by various world cultures. During this time, men held power while women had no societal role. Consequently, women wore multiple layers of tight and form-fitting clothing to conform to societal expectations. These dresses restricted their mobility and limited their involvement in activities, effectively confining them to their designated social roles.

Cultural authentication has played a significant role in the creation of this dress. Its origins can be traced back to 1840 when Queen Elizabeth first selected it. Subsequently, princesses also chose to wear this dress as a symbol of

their upper-class status, which eventually led to it becoming a tradition for everyone. The dress is closely associated with weddings and represents a celebration of beauty and purity. Throughout history, the gown has undergone transformations according to the wearer's preferences, such as the use of orange blossoms as a tradition during the Victorian era. Today, we can observe various types of head dresses being paired with this dress.

The fabric, shape, and accessories of Victorian wedding dresses changed over time, altering their appearance. Aesthetics and the art of dress are closely related as they encompass how we perceive forms and characteristics. Creating universal body supplements and modifications is possible. Aesthetic judgments are imposed on the dressed body, a concept ingrained in society. Victorian wedding dresses contain numerous elements, each carrying a unique meaning or view. Crafting such an extraordinary ensemble requires multiple components.

The concept of dress can be understood by analyzing its design elements and the overall organization. The Victorian dress was quite intricate. Starting with the shoes, brides in the 1870s typically wore flats that were adorned with ribbons or bows. They also wore silk stockings that were decorated and embroidered at the front. In the 1890s, heels were introduced, but they were only about an inch in height. These heels were usually made of white satin or brocade. The skirt of the dress varied greatly, with some women wearing petticoats underneath and others opting for hoop skirts. Additionally, an overskirt would be added to complete the ensemble.

This dress emphasizes the size of the gluteus maximums, making it body subordinate. The legs are hidden, preventing us from determining their

shape and size. The puffy sleeves around the shoulders and upper arms create an unnatural shape for the arm. The corset on the upper part of the dress cinches the waistline, giving a woman an hourglass figure.

The top part of the dress over the corset typically had a high neckline to maintain appropriateness for church. The dresses were made from various materials such as organdy, tulle, lace, gauze, silk, linen, or cashmere, depending on the wearer's social and economic status. Silk satin, known as Duchesse in 1899, was especially popular but heavy. The bride's dresses were adorned with shirred chiffon, pearls, lace, and other decorations. The veil was commonly attached to a cornet of flowers. While orange blossoms were traditional, roses or other seasonal flowers were also acceptable.

During the late Victorian era in the 1890s, veils were usually as long as the trains of dresses. These veils were made of lace or silk tulle. However, as the bustle disappeared and a demi-train with large sleeves became fashionable, bridal attire also changed to convey elegance and purity according to church wedding expectations. Therefore, brides chose voluminous dresses with high necklines and big sleeves. Sleeves and gloves also became popular during this time period to the extent that wedding rings had to be placed over gloves!

Conforming with a particular dress can only go to a certain extent due to its constriction and heavy material, but it brings the woman a sense of beauty, therefore she feels content and comfortable with it. I believe that this type of dress allows for easy expression of individuality. Although white is the traditional choice for

brides, there is a variety of colors available to influence one's future life. Some examples include: "blue-love will be true, red-wish herself dead, [and] pink-of you he'll always think". With the design, material, and flowers, it becomes effortless to express one's individuality.

The dresses presented a stylish way to express attraction without speaking. The corset played a key role in achieving the desired and well-proportioned body shape. The choice of clothing is connected to the pleasurable emotions and sensations that come from stimulating our senses. Researchers believe this idea is captured in the traditional practice of brides wearing "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and lucky sixpence in your shoe." The "Something old" can be a cherished family heirloom symbolizing connection to the past. On the other hand, the "Something new" represents either the bride's dress or a gift from her groom.

The importance of including something borrowed and something blue in wedding attire remains significant nowadays. Something borrowed, such as a veil or headpiece, represents an item that will be given back. Something blue, often depicted by embroidery on a handkerchief, signifies loyalty. Additionally, the inclusion of a sixpence can symbolize future prosperity. Victorian gowns exemplify how the human body can be molded and reimagined, whether as an individual or as a basis for overall design. It is intriguing to ponder the future of fashion and the various factors that may influence emerging trends.

The future can be predicted by considering factors like climate, living arrangements, and society. It is interesting to observe how these predictions unfold. The dress of the future provides insights into other cultures as it

impacts communication, manufacturing, trading, and technology. While fashion trends are transient, certain styles remain popular and eventually resurface. Fashion is a captivating subject that unveils an individual's uniqueness or their inclination to belong to a group.

The psychological influence behind people's clothing choices plays a role in their attire selection. The Victorian style wedding dress has remained relatively unaltered, reflecting tradition, elegance, beauty, purity, and love that are still highly valued today. Although fashion trends have brought changes like sparkle additions and increased silk usage, further modifications might occur within the next two decades. As global warming persists, the dress length could potentially shorten while preserving its traditional values. Moreover, technological advancements may uncover new fabrics, materials, crystals, jewels, and gems existing deep beneath the ocean floor or underground on other planets.

The possibility of creating our own type is always uncertain. Corsets have already returned, although not for the same purpose as they were in the past. Dresses have also remained in style and are seen as a significant representation of gender distinction. Victorian wedding dresses will be tailored just like today, but advancements in technology will provide more accuracy in determining the dress length, arm length if added, and measurements of the shoulders, hips, and torso. Touch screen computers and 3D imaging will enable designers to create the bride's desired dress precisely.

In the future, designers will have the ability to mix and match materials of different sizes, cuts, materials, and details to create the desired final product. The classic wedding gown will continue to be a popular option for women. Additionally, online shopping could become even more significant as

people may have the opportunity to virtually try on clothes before making a purchase in order to ensure proper fit. Furthermore, with the development of a printer-like device, the obstacle of achieving one-day shipping could be easily overcome.

In the future, online shopping will involve direct delivery of items to your home, such as printers. This will minimize conflicts and the need for exchanges by allowing you to ensure proper fit. Although this may seem extreme within a 20-year timeframe, it is worth considering. Wedding dresses hold a significant place in society because of their long-established tradition. Many individuals believe that there is no superior alternative to this trend since it represents a meaningful tradition that casual options cannot replicate.