They were also not as tight as in the late 1870s. However, corsets remained a prominent feature, becoming even tighter in some cases. In the early 1890s, dresses had a tight bodice with a skirt that was gathered at the waist, falling more naturally over the hips. Sleeves, known as leg-of-mutton or gigot sleeves, became popular again, growing larger each year until reaching their peak size around 1895. By the mid-1890s, skirts took on an A-line shape that was almost bell-like. In the late 1890s, sleeves became tighter, often with small puffs or ruffles at the shoulder but fitted at the wrist. Skirts also changed, adopting a trumpet shape that fit closely over the hips and flared just above the knee. Corsets of this decade were crucial in defining the hourglass figure, popularized by artist Charles Dana Gibson. Towards the end of the decade, corsets became longer, creating a slight S-bend silhouette that remained fashionable into the Edwardian era. At the beginning of the 1890s, hairstyles were similar to those of the 1880s, with curled or frizzled bangs and hair swept up. However, starting in 1892, hairstyles began to be influenced by the Gibson Girl, becoming looser and wavier. Bangs also fell out of high fashion during this time. By the end of the decade, a popular hairstyle was a large bun at the top of the head, a style that would continue into the early 1900s. Shoe fashion during this time saw the revival of high tab front shoes with large buckles, a style that had first become popular in the 1870s. These shoes, known by various names such as “Cromwell,” “Colonial,” and “Molière,” were made from materials like suede, leather, lace, and metal. Suede, a new material in 1890, was available in a few pale shades. (Photo credit: Vintage Victorian Fashion on Flickr / Wikimedia Commons). Notify me of new posts by email.
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