An Overview of Mid-19th-Century Western Fashion

     The mid-nineteenth century in Britain covers the first three decades of the Victorian era.  The United States struggles through the American Civil War, while France endures the fall of the Second Republic, followed by the brief Second Empire.  Further east sees the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire's loss in the Crimean War, and the unifications of both Germany and Italy. 

General information
    Durbin, Holly Poe. "Crinoline Era Consumerism." YouTube. Posted October 18, 2020.
    English Heritage. "Fashion Through History: Episode 1 – Victorians." YouTube. Posted February 9, 2023.
    Glasscock, Jessica. "Nineteenth-Century Silhouette and Support." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004.
    Oshinsky, Sara J. "European Revivalism." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006.
    Wolf, Lucia. "Italian Fashion Periodicals and Nation-building in the 19th Century." Library of Congress Blogs. Posted January 29, 2019.

Accessories
    Historic Royal Palaces. "A Rare Survivor From Prince Albert's Wardrobe." YouTube. Posted December 31, 2025.
    Historic Royal Palaces. "Conservation of Queen Victoria's silk shoes." YouTube. Posted July 29, 2019.
    Kent Delord House Museum. "KDHM Artifact Corner: Victorian Ivory Fan." YouTube. Posted October 13, 2022.
    Victoria and Albert Museum. "Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet." YouTube. Posted April 11, 2019.

Cosmetics and hygiene
    CrowsEyeProductions. "Historical Styles - Victorian (1860s) Hair and Make-up Tutorial." YouTube. Posted March 5, 2019.
    English Heritage. "Queen Victoria Makeup Tutorial | History Inspired | Feat. Amber Butchart and Rebecca Butterworth." YouTube. Posted May 20, 2019.

Furnishings and décor
    Ives, Colta. "Japonisme." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004.
    McNab, Jessie. "Nineteenth-Century English Silver." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004.
    Oshinsky, Sara J. "Design Reform." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006.

Gowns and formal wear
    CrowsEyeProductions. "Getting Dressed in 1848 - Prince Albert." YouTube. Posted December 6, 2019.
    CrowsEyeProductions. "Getting Dressed - Queen Victoria - Christmas 1848." YouTube. Posted December 10, 2019.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing a 1865 Lady: Ball Attire." YouTube. Posted June 3, 2018.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up a 1850s lady." YouTube. Posted July 27, 2021.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up a 1840s gentleman." YouTube. Posted March 1, 2019.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Getting Dressed for a ball circa 1866." YouTube. Posted December 3, 2022.

Outerwear and sports wear
    Pitcher, Izabela. "dressing up for a game of croquet, circa 1860." YouTube. Posted April 14, 2021.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up for a hack, 1850s and 60s style!" YouTube. Posted February 4, 2024.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up for a walk, 1841 style." YouTube. Posted March 5, 2023.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up for the beach, 1865 style." YouTube. Posted January 30, 2020.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up in a 1860s ice skating outfit." YouTube. Posted December 24, 2020.

Working wear
    CrowsEyeProductions. "Getting Dressed in the 1860s - Pit Brow Women." YouTube. Posted July 4, 2025.
    CrowsEyeProductions. "Getting Dressed - Victorian Gardener (1850s)." YouTube. Posted February 14, 2020.
    Kearns, Katelyn. "Looking Poor in the Mid 19th Century || One Woman is Twice Two Soldiers, Episode 12." YouTube. Posted November 13, 2024.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up a Middle Class Lady, 1848." YouTube. Posted February 1, 2019.
    Pitcher, Izabela. "Dressing up a middle class lass, circa 1850s." YouTube. Posted July 2, 2021.
    The Museum at FIT. "Denim: Fashion's Frontier | Circa 1840 pants." YouTube. April 13, 2016.

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