The late 1800s were the era of radical change in fashion. This was the period when a number of distinct and high-end clothes designs came about that were also shaped by the cultural and social transformations then. The 1880s Fashion was influenced by numerous factors which included industrial developments, the suffrage movements of women as well as the fact that the world was becoming more globalized. The fashion of the time is enduring and is still effective among fashion designers and other fashion lovers to date.
Whether it was the swell of the female dress or the official attire of the male, the fashion of the 1880s can be described as grand and even sophisticated. Development of clothing in this era was the foundation of the current fashion having an element of structure and sophistication. We will plunge into the main points of the fashion of 1880s.
The Bustle in Female Fashion.
The bustle was among the most characteristic elements of the 1880s women fashion. The bustle was first worn in the 1870s but it became famous in the 1880s as a mandatory garment. It was applied to make the backs of women’s skirts rounder.
The construction of the bustle was composed of various materials such as horsehair, steel and cloth that were usually worn under the skirt. The fashion emulated an hourglass figure, but heavily focused on the back profile, allowing women to achieve it. The popularity of the bustle was a major shift in comparison with the straight and flatter skirts of previous decades.
Corsets and how they shaped the Figure.
Another factor in the development of 1880s fashion was corsets. Corsets were tightened around the waist of women to give them the perfect shape of a narrow waist, which was the desired shape during this period. This gave the famous wasp-waisted shape, which was even enhanced by the full skirts and bustles.
Corsets, even though a feminine and fashion symbol, also signified the restrictions that were on women at this time. Although they provided elegant smooth appearance, they were usually uncomfortable and limited the movement of women. Although uncomfortable, corsets were an item that women needed in their fashions in the 1880s.
Men 1880s Fashion: Finery and Custom-Making.
The fashion of men in the 1880s was about good taste. The three-piece suit, which is a jacket, trousers, and a waistcoat became a standard among the male gender during this period. The suit had to be tailored and the fit of the suit was also significant to give a professional appearance.
Men dominated in dark colors such as black, navy and charcoal gray. Male suits consisted of quality material such as wool and tweed and men jackets were tailor-made in a slightly shorter cut compared to the past decades. It was the inception of modern men fashion where emphasis was placed on clean lines and smooth shapes.
The 1880s Accessories: Hats, Gloves and Pocket Watches.
The old-fashioned in the 1880s necessitated the use of accessories. Among women, hats used to be large with lots of feathers, lace and ribbons attached to them. Not only were these accessories useful as protection against the sun but they were also significant as fashion statements. Another important accessory was gloves, which were usually put on either to formal events or when going out at ease.
To men, pocket watches constituted a required item. They usually had a chain attached to them and were put in the waistcoat. Top hats were also in demand and they were used to complete the elegant appearance in the dressing of men. The accessories in the 1880s were worn to create a glamorous look, which made an entire outfit.
How Industrialization Changed Fashion in the 1880s.
Fashion was greatly influenced by industrialization in the 1880s. Mass production saw the production of clothing become cheaper and faster. This resulted in an augmented supply of ready-made garments making the fashion more affordable to the emerging middle classes.
The Jacquard loom was also another new technology in the textile industry brought about by the Industrial Revolution that made it possible to produce more elaborate fabric designs. This technology has advanced to more sophisticated and ornamental fabrics in both men and women clothing. The industrialization was therefore democratizing fashion and fashion became accessible to more people in society and also brought about advances in design.
Fashion and Social Movements: The Women Rights Part.
It was also during the 1880s that the fashion began to mirror the societal changes that were occurring as well as the way of the women. The women rights movement was taking off, and fashions started to change towards granting women more freedom and mobility.
Women were demanding more practicality in their dresses although the corset and bustle were still the main style of dressing for women. In certain respects, clothing grew looser, and the increasing need to wear clothing that was more comfortable led to the utilitarian styles of the 20th century. The fashion of the 1880s was not only about style but also the possibility to demonstrate the shifting role of women in society and attitudes towards them.
Haute Couture and Haute Fashion Houses.
During the 1880s the haute couture emerged, which is a term that has been used to refer to high-end fashion as designed and/or created by the leading designers. Charles Frederick Worth who is considered the first fashion designer started his fashion house in Paris which formed the basis of the haute couture industry.
The creation of fashion houses enabled the development of tailor-made and quality clothes to be used by the rich customers. This process became a significant turning point in the fashion market, which laid the foundations of the principles of craft and exclusivity that characterize the haute couture even today. The luxury fashion industry that dominated the 20th century would go back to the 1880s fashion houses.
The classic legacy of fashion in the 1880s.
Although the fashion dramatically changed during the years after the 1880s, the influence of this time is still present in modern-day clothing. A lot of the stylistic attributes of the 1880s fashion including the focus on structure, tailoring and formality have remained to have an impact on contemporary formal wear. The concept of making a properly fitting suit, the role of corsetry in shaping and emphasis on luxurious textiles have all made their imprint on the modern style.
The 1880s are still a source of inspiration to the fashion designers who use aspects like puffed sleeves, detailed all over, and structured shapes in their designs. This innovation in fashion of the 1880s has proven to be long-lasting and most of the popular elements are commemorated now in contemporary fashion.
FAQ’s
What were the main characteristics of 1880s women fashion?
The main characteristics were a tight waist size with the use of corsets, volume at the back of the dresses, and rich dresses made of materials such as silk and velvet. Puffed sleeves and high collars were also popular.
What was the impact of industrialization on fashion in the 1880s?
With the process of industrialization, the availability of clothing increased through mass production. It also brought about some form of technologies in textiles so that more elaborate and decorative fabrics could be utilized in fashion.
What contribution did the women rights movement make to the 1880s fashions?
Fashion was also affected by the rising women rights movement which promoted more practical and comfortable clothes. Even though the corsets and bustle continued to be worn, there was an increasing need for fashions that would give freedom of movement.
Who was the designer to create a house of fashion in the 1880s?
Charles Frederick Worth is regarded as the pioneer fashion designer to set up a fashion house in Paris. He is attributed to have invented the haute couture industry.
Conclusion
The 1880s fashion were a ten-year period of revolution in the fashion world. The change of the trends was to a more ordered and fancy style, where the bustle, corsets and bespoke suits were the fad. Its contribution to the current fashion is immeasurable, with aspects of the fashion of the 1880s also reflected in the current formal wear and the haute couture. The fashion period of the 1880s is a symbol of the classiness as well as the restriction of that era and its heritage still influences the ways we dress.