European Men And Women's Clothing In The 19th Century

Throughout thousands of years European men and women's clothing have changed in various ways including color, size, and textiles. Since the ancient, Europe to today, styles of clothing have changed rapidly. Clothing has gone from draping cloths of your body to take an hour to fit gowns around your waist. Comparing the earliest recordings on clothing from ancient Europe and the fashions and styles we have today the difference is quite distinctive.

Beginning in ancient Europe around 3900 B.C. through 500 A.D. the toga was the most significant piece of clothing. Togas are one-piece, woolen garments that drape loosely around the shoulders and down the body. The type of toga worn depended on one's social status, age, and profession. For example, the toga purpurea was a purple-dyed wool, and was worn in times of triumph by an emperor. Togas were required

In the 19th century it was typival for pople of all classes to wear hats. Wealthier men wore top hats while middle class men wore bowler hats. The working men wore cloth caps, such as berets. Men wore tight-fitting, calf-length, frock overcoats and a waistcoat. The vests were single or double-breasted, and paired with linen or cotton shirts with low collars. The shirts were worn with wide cravats or neck ties. In the 1880s, men's shoes narrowed and had higher heels. In the 1890s, the blazer was introduced.

Clothes were seen as an expression of women's place in society. Bertha is th named for the low shoulder neckline paired with a tightly laced corset that emphasizes a women’s small waist. The tightly fit sleeves matched with the shape of the women's small waist. Crinolines, a hooped petticoat, were used to give skirts a beehive shape. With at least six layers of cloth worn under, they could weigh as much as fourteen pounds. As crinolines started to develop in fashion, sleeves turned into bell shapes which gave the dress a heavier volume. Clothing took a wide turn into the