18th century english dresses
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The fashions of England in the 18th century were largely influenced by the royal court's tendencies. Women's dress styles changed dramatically from 1700 to 1800, evolving from somber and reserved to simple, seductive elegance by the end of the century. The British ruled the seas during the 18th century, bringing exotic fabrics like Indian muslin and Oriental patterns to England, while neighboring France continued to influence English dress. Country fashion sometimes lagged up to 20 years behind town fashion.
1700 to 1735
For much of the 18th century, the petticoat was one of the main distinguishing features of women's dress. The solid-colored overskirt was drawn up in folds or bunches to show the rich cloth and pattern of the whalebone-stiffened underskirt. Laced aprons were worn over the skirt, even for formal occasions. The bodice of the dress was cut low, and was very stiff, designed to perfectly fit the tightly laced corset beneath it. Sleeves reached the elbow. A wide lace ruffle hung from the sleeve, which was sometimes a part of the chemise underneath, rather than a part of the dress itself. A smaller lace ruffle accented the neckline of the bodice.
1730 to 1750
The arrival of Queen Caroline in England brought the more casual and elegant Rococo style to English fashion and influenced ladies' dress to become more elaborate, making use of finer fabrics like silk, satin and damask embroidered with gold, silver and other colors. The hoop skirt became popular, and skirts acquired a more oval shape, making the gown easier to manage. Quilting on dresses appeared and provided practicality by making dresses warmer for winter wear. The saque gown was introduced, inspired by women's negligees. The gown fell loosely from the shoulders and gathered in folds, with a long piece of fabric gathered at the back of the shoulders, like a cape. Hoops became smaller and side panniers were introduced, designed to hold the skirt out far beyond the hip, which led to the development of lighter fabrics, such as lawn cloth and muslin, for women's dresses.
1750 to 1780
Waistlines remained tight in this period, becoming long and pointed. Bodices were cut ever lower and showed a striking expanse of decolletage, even with a cloth of lace and ribbons tucked into the top, called a breast-front. The pannier skirt was introduced and worn short, showing the shoes and ankles, with the diagonal lines of the overskirt trimmed with the same lace as the sleeves. Underskirts became even more elaborate, trimmed with strips of lace, ribbon or fur. Overskirts and underskirts were often worn in contrasting colors for dramatic effect.
1780 to 1800
By 1780, the hoop skirt had all but disappeared, replaced by pads at the hips and in back, creating a full skirt with a flat front. The influence of Marie Antoinette's personal preference in style was echoed throughout England, evoking a simple and somewhat pastoral, though no less costly, style in women's dress. Skirts were simple, flowing and without adornment. Women's bodices echoed men's suit coats, buttoned up with overlapping revers. In 1783, a short-lived fad for decorating dresses with straw appeared. The empire waist became popular in England in the mid-1790s, and dresses became lighter, thinner and quite simple, worn without petticoats or corsets. Cashmere shawls were introduced, and women began to wear wraps to disguise the revealing flimsiness of their gowns at will. This simple style remained in fashion for the next 20 years.
Source: www.ehow.com
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