Culture in the 1890s was swiftly changing in Western countries, as the turn of the century saw a shift away from rigid Victorian ideals. 1890s fashion allowed for more self-expression, particularly for women as gender roles became more flexible. As more and more women began working, cycling, and participating in sports, clothing began to reflect those changes.
Rapid innovations in the Industrial Revolution also paved the way for transformations in the clothing industry. New manufacturing meant that clothing was widely available and more affordable than before.
What Did People Dress Like in the 1890s?
While 1890s fashion maintained the elegance of the Victorian era, it was also a time of change. Men still wore three-piece suits, but the comfort and practicality of looser cuts slowly started to replace more formal options. Women’s fashion followed the same trend. Dresses focused more on mobility, with free-flowing skirts and leg-o-mutton sleeves.
1890s Women’s Fashion
Women’s fashion in the 1890s valued freedom of movement and expression. The petticoats and bustles of the earlier 1800s were replaced by flowing skirts. This shift reflected the new freedoms women enjoyed (such as sports and employment) that required a wider range of motion. Women even switched out their skirts for bloomers on occasion, a bold move given the controversy surrounding women wearing pants.
While looser skirts allowed more motion, corsets were still widely used to achieve the desired hourglass and S-shaped silhouettes. Dresses and blouses typically had tight bodices with high necks and were often worn with jackets. They also featured wrist-length sleeves.
In the early 1890s, a puffed sleeve known as the “leg-o-mutton sleeve” was popularized. This added flare became more exaggerated over the years, peaking in size in 1895 and tapering off by the late 1890s.
Evening gowns maintained the puffy sleeves, but arms were left bare from the elbow down. Necklines were also lowered and could be squared or rounded. These dresses were influenced by the greater Aesthetic Movement, which emphasized the artistic, elegant, and beautiful.
1890s Men’s Fashion
Men’s fashion in the 1890s largely revolved around three-piece suits with narrow silhouettes. The knee-length frock coat of the earlier 1800s was slowly replaced by the morning suit, which featured a shorter front that tapered out in the back. Lounge suits with looser cuts and single buttons also rose in popularity, favored for their relaxed fit.
Shirts at the time were starched to be crisp and stiff. Tall stand collars with clear winged tips were also common.
Like women, men started wearing more freeing attire while playing sports. Stiff suits were traded for alternatives such as the reefer or Norfolk jackets, often in tweed or flannel. Long pants were traded for knee-length breeches.
For formal occasions, men wore starched white shirts with tailcoats. The less formal tuxedo started gaining momentum by the end of the 1890s.
1890s Fashion for Teens and Children
Children and teen fashion in the 1890s followed the same trends as adult fashion at the time. Boys wore pants with Norfolk or lounge jackets. Girls typically wore dresses with leg-o-mutton sleeves, cinched waists, and flowing skirts.
The skirts on girls’ dresses were shorter than their mothers’ dresses and gradually lengthened as they grew older. Girls were also introduced to training corsets as teenagers.
What Colors Were Popular in the 1890s?
Neutral colors were favored in 1890s fashion. White, beige, gray, and black were the staples in most wardrobes. Men’s clothing in particular mostly appeared in subdued colors, although neckties and waistcoats occasionally offered a spot of color.
Women’s clothing still favored neutral colors, particularly using white and black as a contrast. A wider range of colors was available in women’s clothing than in men’s, but the colors were generally muted or faded. Mauve and chartreuse were popular alternatives to the typical white and black. Bold patterns also emerged, such as wide stripes on a skirt or intricate patterns on an evening gown.
1890s Hairstyles
Women wore their hair in a large, loosely curled bun. They often wore brimmed hats with exaggerated decorations, such as feathers, flowers, and lace.
Men kept their hair cut short, neatly combed, and parted to the side. They often wore top hats, bowler hats, and fedoras to accompany the look. They often wore heavy mustaches, but it became more common for men to go clean-shaven.
View 1890s Fashion in Your Family Photos
1890s fashion marked a subtle shift away from more traditional roles in the home and community that paved the way for future generations. How did your ancestors dress in the 1890s? How might their dress have reflected the lives they were leading?
If you have any historical family photos from the 1890s, look for the iconic leg-o-mutton sleeves or the tapered morning suit. You can save your photos on FamilySearch Memories for free, or you can even search to see pictures that others have added of your family. All you have to do is create a free account, and you can see what your ancestors wore back in the day!
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