Sarah's History Journal: Romantic period the hair and clothes affair

ClothesRomantic-Women (~1820-1835)

This fashion plate from the September 1831 issue of The Royal Lady's Magazine demonstrates many of the the characteristic trends of the Romantic Era.

These include:

-a silhouette that is wide and top-heavy, especially when compared to the vertical columnal silhouette of the previous period.

-demi-gigot sleeves (full and balloon-like from shoulder to elbow and tight fitting elbow to wrist). Other popular large sleeve styles included the leg-of-mutton/gigot sleeve, the imbecile/idiot sleeve, and the Marie sleeve.

-a tiny, corsetted waist sitting a few inches above the natural waistline

-cone-shaped skirts created from gored (triangular shaped) panels. Hem widths gradually increase throughout the period. During the early years of the period fullness at the waist is minimal.

-Sleeves sit low on the shoulders and necklines are wide, baring the shoulders. Here the exposed neckline is concealed by decorated, coordinating pelerines (large removable collars) for proper day wear.

Romantic Era dresses were often described by either the time of day during which they were to be worn (ie. a morning or an evening dress) or the activity for which they were intended (ie. a promenade (walking) or a carriage dress). Very often the differences between the types of dresses is so subtle, it is difficult to distinguish the styles.

The following distinction can be made, however:

-Dresses for day wear are more conservative. They tended to have shorter hemlines, higher necklines, longer sleeves and were made of sturdy, sensible fabrics (ie. cotton and wool).

-Dresses for evening allowed more skin to show. They were generally floor length, have open exposed necklines, shorter sleeves, and were made of fancier fabrics (ie. satin, taffeta, moire).

Illness became a fashion statement. Women cultivated a sickly paleness of complexion
(often enhanced by rice powder). They lauded of their illinesses like trophies, often trying
to out do one another with their laundry list of maladies. Due to extremely "tight-laced"
corsets, the Romantic woman had no problem "swooning" like the best literary heroine.

During the Romantic Era, the Male sphere and Female sphere became increasingly
separated, especially among the upper classes. The home was no longer the center of
business affairs, but now served as the center of entertainment. The Victorian woman--a
subordinate of her husband--was expected to live a "doll-like" existence while playing hostess
to her husband's affairs.

A substantial wardrobe of clothing was necessary in order to fulfill this role effectively.
Stylish gowns of the Romantic Era featured sleeves set low on the shoulder.
Women could not raise their arms above their heads.
This combined with an extremely tight-laced corset rendered a fashionable woman

incapable of performing any physical labor. Servants carried out the physical housework,

while the lady of the house busied herself with low physical activities such as sewing,

embroidering, modeling in wax, sketching, painting on glass or china, and decorating

other functional objects in the home.Clothing of the period was still constructed by hand.

The hair affair

Women of the Romantic Era often went to great lengths
to create elaborate hairstyles
as a way to express themselves. During this period,
from the late 18th century to the
middle of the 19th century, many women looked to
the hair fashions of classical antiquity
or the Middle Ages for their inspiration. Others,
in the late 18th century especially, chose
a more contemporary motif and adorned their heads
with models of ships and other objects
relating to the events of the day.

In the late 18th century, women often wore wigs to increase the size of their hair.
They also used frames or pads to create additional volume. The largest and most
elaborate hairstyles were those with bird cages or miniature gardens resting on
top of the head. Marie Antoinette, who used wigs to add three feet to her hair,
famously adorned her hair with a replica of a French battleship.

During the early 19th century, ringlets were the rage. Women worked their hair
into elaborate updos that consisted of a part in the center with ringlets on the sides
and top of the head. Buns with loose sausage curls at the temples also were popular.
Another popular hairstyle was the Apollo knot, which featured a bun on top of a
woman's head and ringlets framing her face. According to the Fashion Encyclopedia,
Some women used hairpieces to create volume at their crowns for the Apollo knot.

Many women of the Romantic period reproduced the hairstyles of ancient Greece
and the Middle Ages. One medieval-influenced trend was wearing a ribbon around
the head with a single jewel hanging over the forehead. Women also imitated ancient
styles by wearing wreaths on their heads or using combs to decorate their Apollo knots.
Many wore bows and feathers for a more dramatic look, especially in the 18th century.

My reflections
When i see thoes romantic period i get inspired to draw dresses.
However,unlike the romantic period.
I prefer it down heavy. In modern days ,wearing what was expected to wear
during that time is way too
much today.

Such dreses would taeages to make. Women during that time had(must have)
a lot of time and patience
to do sewing, Nowadays,Women want a career!
We want to be independent! who have the time to sew
dresses!

I see alot of romatic characteristics in a wedding dress. Well, i think majority
of women would want (at least) a slight hint of romanticism in their weding!
They want to have that glow an the gown is the most impotant
of all! Looking sick is no longer a fashion statement.
Looking healthy is ( well at least for me) I would prefer
the silhouette to be flowy and down heavy.

A corsett to keep my tummy in ! but i would prefer
any clothing that are sleeveless as these few days the weather
is so hot! Much less wearing this dress! Big hair is stil rather popular.
It looks chic and make your neck

look longer.

MTV music videos also use romantic themes in their movies. Take for example,
Taylor swift music video :' Love story'. '

In the music video, the whole music video has a romantic theme.
The props she use, the dress she wears, the makeup in the music video,
the hairstyle and the choice of place even the garden.
Everything fits in with the lyrics she wrote for the song. I find that this music video is the best summary for
the romantic era. Like the romantic period,i pictures a girl,
daydreaming when her prince romeo would come, he
the hero, she the damsel in distress and they would have a happy ending. Everything a lady
in the romantic days would fawn,daydream and swoon for.
I think it would be very much what they would do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vls5WXTusfU