40 Charming Photos That Defined Women’s Fashion in the Late Victorian Era

Women’s fashion in the late Victorian era was marked by dramatic silhouettes and a clear division between day and evening wear. The most iconic feature of the period was the hourglass figure, achieved through the use of tight corsets that cinched the waist and accentuated the bust and hips. This was paired with bustle skirts in the 1870s and 1880s, which were fuller at the back to create a pronounced posterior profile.

Daywear typically consisted of long skirts, high collars, and fitted bodices with long sleeves. Fabrics ranged from heavy wool or silk for colder months to lighter cottons or linens for summer. Fabrics were often richly textured, with intricate lace, velvet, and elaborate trims.

For evening wear, gowns were more extravagant, featuring low-cut necklines, shorter sleeves, and often adorned with lavish decorations like ribbons, beads, and feathers. Satin, silk, and velvet were common choices for luxurious dresses, while dark colors like black, deep blues, and rich purples were popular.

Hats and accessories were also a key part of the look—large bonnets and wide-brimmed hats with ribbons, flowers, or feathers were worn during the day, while evening looks were often completed with ornate headpieces or tiaras.

Here below is a collection of charming photos that shows what young women looked like from the late Victorian era.