Queen Victoria held her reign from 1837-1901, and during this time the changes inspired by her small stature, created an intricate, and elegant style from the Georgian Era (King George III, George Washington), and made it her own.
Victoria leaned on her stylist named Marianne Skerrett. Skerrett was her head dresser from the moment Victoria became Queen until 1862. She made sure of Victoria’s gloves, shoes, hats, and undergarments. Vintage Connection says “The styles of the late 1830s, consisting of a close-fitting bodice, natural waist, and bell-shaped skirt, were particularly becoming to the 4’11” queen. Her lack of height and a tendency toward plumpness made her look best in simple well-tailored clothes such as riding habits.” Puffy sleeves, and puffy skirt along with a small, tiny waist (or boning for the corset) gave off a lady-like figure for the small queen. In earlier days, wide skirts were supported by fabrics like linen which used horsehair in the weave. She also let it be known that all of her dresses are British made only.
Thus, in turn, invited a new style across the world even to the United States with a western style with a little less flair. During the Victorian Era of fashion, this was a time to show the new beginnings of the female since there was a Queen on the throne. Also this meant the difference of money. Whoever had the nicests dresses, meant that the women were from a rich family, or from royalty; in which the women did not have to work. Women of the working class would have their dresses less flair and color. If you think about it, women’s embodiment was in its early phases and sprining into action of the capabilites of the new dress reform.
The dresses may have been very pretty, but weren’t very comfortable. It was hard to try to get the smallest waist due to the corset to try and look their best and suitable for royalty and society. Their sleeves became lower which gave a little more difficulty raising their arms. Over the course of Victoria’s reign, the style started to come a little less restricted with their corsets and wide dresses, to longer, no corset, but comfortable fitting dresses. Queen Victoria was able to utilize her short frame and less widened shoulders to change the look and fashion of dresses. She was a young Queen in 1837, but she wanted to give a new look for the ages.
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