Victorian costumes are characterized by a large amount of lace, tulle, ruffles, ribbons, bowknots, multilevel cake tailors, folds, pleats and other elements, as well as stand-up collars, high waists, princess sleeves, sheep leg sleeves and other palace styles. The British drama “Victoria” that began broadcasting in 2016 also highlights this in clothing. The sheep leg sleeves and the wide and big dress hem were an indispensable part of women clothing at the time.
There was also a popular sport among women in the high society of the time: horse riding. So naturally, women horse-riding costumes also appeared. The lower body is a pair of tight breeches under the spacious long dress, made of fine cotton. Footwear is long boots.
So this time let we follow the era dramas to briefly understand the changes in European medieval women clothing!
“Madame Pompadour”
The prosperity and decline of life of Mrs. Pompadour’s life are almost as legendary as that of Napoleon. Even Voltaire praised her “having a careful and exquisite brain, and a full of justice heart.” She is not only the mistress of Louis XV. She also greatly influenced the politics and arts of France at the time.
She was a well-deserved leader and promoter of the Rococo fashion at the time and pushed this beautiful, elegant, frivolous and romantic style to Europe. The movie “Madame Pompadour” perfectly restore the clothes worn by Madame Pompadour. Regardless of whether the subject color of the skirt is bright or elegant, the bow on the chest and the cuffs design of each other are indispensable dream elements. The main characteristics of Rococo are light and soft, exquisitely decorated, emphasizing beauty rather than depth, and the theme focuses on romantic, mythical and other illusions. Under the design of Madame de Pompadour, the Versailles Palace at that time also reflected this style, featuring arabesques, shells, detailed curves and asymmetrical decorations.
“Marie Antoinette”
The film is based on Antonia Fraser book and tells the story of the legendary French Queen Marie Antoinette. In important occasions, Queen Mary will wear this kind of dress that was very popular in the French high society at that time.
In fact, Queen Mary didn’t have a lot of achievements in fashion trends, but in hairstyle, she pushed the height of hair accessories and wigs to a new high in history. Pearls, ribbons, flowers, feathers, etc., can be almost as decorative as she can become.
Unlike Queen Pompadour, Queen Mary has gained the right to speak in the political environment of the time, both from the circumstances and her own identity, and she has become a famous “deficit queen.” As the last Queen of France, Queen Mary finally ushered in her tragic but brilliant end. Facing her husband with a weak nature, she became “the only man in the royal family”. Finally, she sent herself to the guillotine.
“Harlots”
As time progressed, we came to the era of the first industrial revolution. In the early days of this era, many rococo styles still remained on the clothes. People still love exaggerated dress hem and complex and beautiful decorations.
Exaggerated wigs are still characteristic of this period. The more exaggerated and gorgeous the wig can show that person’s noble status, and male wear the wig is also very popular.