Victorian Wedding Dresses
Sierra Brewster
ENGL-2322
07/29/12
Research Paper:
Victorian Wedding Dresses
The Victorian Era ranged between the years 1837-1901. In the United States this was right after the Civil War when Westward Expansion was occurring, and attracted millions of immigrants who were primarily from Europe. For example, some of these immigrants migrated from Italy and Austria, most likely because of the forces of nationalism. It was always a land controlled by stronger powers. Napoleon was in charge of Italy and was treated as a “vessel state”, but enjoyed many beneficial reforms; but he fell from power when Austria became dominant. Revolutionary movement failed and ultimately Prussia united the German states in the German Empire. Meanwhile, in England King George IV died in 1830 and William IV succeeded him. As a result, the niece Victoria came onto the throne in 1837 at only 18 years old and ruled Great Britain and the Empire until 1901 when she died. With her personality she helped restore the popularity status of the monarchy. Her influence was so strong that her name was used to describe the greater part of the 19th century- “the Victorian Age”. The Victorian period was, in many instances contrasted to the Regency period. Peter Gay (1984), suggested that the public image and private practices of Victorian women were at odds, and that many women had happy and fulfilling sex lives. Valerie Steele (1985) says, “…the erotic nature of much of Victorian costume and the willingness of upper and middle class women to wear obviously seductive clothing. The notion of complete Victorian conformity to a strict and monolithic set of values is undoubtedly an oversimplification. The reality is obviously more complex, with significant differences between public and private lives.” The wedding dresses of the Victorian Era were a lot of work. There are 6 layers to the dress, even though they are only in an optimum 1 layer clothing zone. The summers were scorching which was harsh
ENGL-2322
07/29/12
Research Paper:
Victorian Wedding Dresses
The Victorian Era ranged between the years 1837-1901. In the United States this was right after the Civil War when Westward Expansion was occurring, and attracted millions of immigrants who were primarily from Europe. For example, some of these immigrants migrated from Italy and Austria, most likely because of the forces of nationalism. It was always a land controlled by stronger powers. Napoleon was in charge of Italy and was treated as a “vessel state”, but enjoyed many beneficial reforms; but he fell from power when Austria became dominant. Revolutionary movement failed and ultimately Prussia united the German states in the German Empire. Meanwhile, in England King George IV died in 1830 and William IV succeeded him. As a result, the niece Victoria came onto the throne in 1837 at only 18 years old and ruled Great Britain and the Empire until 1901 when she died. With her personality she helped restore the popularity status of the monarchy. Her influence was so strong that her name was used to describe the greater part of the 19th century- “the Victorian Age”. The Victorian period was, in many instances contrasted to the Regency period. Peter Gay (1984), suggested that the public image and private practices of Victorian women were at odds, and that many women had happy and fulfilling sex lives. Valerie Steele (1985) says, “…the erotic nature of much of Victorian costume and the willingness of upper and middle class women to wear obviously seductive clothing. The notion of complete Victorian conformity to a strict and monolithic set of values is undoubtedly an oversimplification. The reality is obviously more complex, with significant differences between public and private lives.” The wedding dresses of the Victorian Era were a lot of work. There are 6 layers to the dress, even though they are only in an optimum 1 layer clothing zone. The summers were scorching which was harsh
Bibliography: • Burns, Edward M. et. al. Western Civilization: Their History and Their Culture 10th Edition, Volumes 1-2 New York: Norton, 1984 • Courtney, Marla “Victorian Era Wedding Traditions” • N/A “La Corsetiere”, Victorianbizzare.com. Victorian Bizarre. 2000. Web. 7 October 2011. • Tortora, Phyllis. & Eubank, Keith. Survey of Historic Costume Fairchild Publications, 1994. Print. • Tortora, Phyllis G