Women's Fashions Late Victorian Era (1860-1901)
Dresses
Bustles
Coming into fashion in the early 1870s, a bustle was a lump at the back of the skirt below the back. It often stuck out a little because of bunched up fabric held by buttons and pins. The crinoline had by then reached its maximum size and was replaced with the bustle. It seemed to give a softer look to a woman's figure. However, a small crinoline cage was still used to support a larger bustle if necessary. Dresses were also very full at the front, perhaps to show a stronger figure.
A Slimming Silhouette
By the middle of the 1870s, bustles were no longer worn, but petticoats returned for support as the popularity grew for long trains at the bottom of the dress. It was also more popular for the skirt and the bodice of the dress to be connected in one piece. Since the style was very slim, it was really only good-looking on the skinny or rich women. It was very hard to make these dresses, and more ruffle was often used to cover up mistakes. Overall, the style didn't last very long.
Return of the Bustle
Again in 1883 the bustle became popular, and it was more smooth and hard than before. It was said that this made the back of a woman's dress look more like a horse and made them look tough. Sleeves on the dresses were also slimmer, unlike in the early 1870s, when the sleeves were still flared.
As well as the larger bustle, more styles such as tailored jackets and shoulder padding showed strength in women, which was important at the time because women were working towards equality with men.