Victorian Fashions: A Pictorial Archive, 965 Illustrations

by Carol Belanger Grafton (Editor)

Women's fashions during the second half of the nineteenth century offered a delightful display of styles reflecting English, French, and American tastes. This comprehensive treasury of more than 900 crisp black-and-white illustrations ― arranged chronologically and dated by year ― provides a rich pictorial record of clothing styles from that period. Suitable for a wide variety of graphic projects, these cuts will especially appeal to artists and illustrators in search of finely rendered images of authentic Victorian fashions.
Selected by graphic artist Carol Belanger Grafton from such vintage sources as Harper's Bazar, La Mode Illustrée, Peterson's Magazine, Godey's Salon de la Mode and Frank Leslie's Ladies' Magazine, the cuts brim with clear detail and old-time flavor as they record a wealth of evolving styles ― from ornate gowns of the mid-1800s, widened by hoop skirts and elaborately enhanced with ribbons, ruffles, laces, and bows, to turn-of-the-century fashions that produced leg-o'-mutton sleeves, narrowed skirts, diminished bustles, and high-necked bodices (except for evening wear, which exhibited a more daring neckline).
Here, for copyright-free use, are hundreds of elegant dresses accented with intricately embroidered designs, shirtwaists featuring lace inserts, and row upon row of tiny pleats, tightly laced undergarments, wide-brimmed hats topped with feathers, flowers, and ribbon; beaded handbags, magnificent parasols, fur-trimmed capes, and much, much more.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, History, Art, Fashion History, Victorian, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 1998

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a fantastic collection of Victorian fashions taken from vintage periodicals. I only wish that there was more context. They are arranged in chronological order, but with all those catalogs at the author's disposal, its a shame that she didn't include any other small details. I would have loved to see names of some of the styles, prices, materials, and other tidbits that were surely available to the author.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of Victorian fashion images great for referencing when making period clothing. It would be great if they were in color as well not just black and white.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome resource and treasure trove for inspiration. I bought this with the books by Audin and Blum for inspiration and ideas for my Steampunk costumes.

[Petersilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel bad whenever I don't look at this book

[Flower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clip art type pictures. Very cool.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful references!