The 1820s and 1830s marked a significant transition in fashion, bridging the gap between the Regency era and the Victorian era. This period, heavily influenced by the Romantic movement, saw a dramatic shift in silhouettes, fabrics, and overall aesthetics. As the high waistlines of the Regency period began to fall, a new emphasis on the natural waist emerged. Existing gowns were altered to accommodate this change, often with the addition of wide waistbands to lower the waistline gradually.
By the mid-1820s, the waist returned to its natural position, and a slim figure became fashionable once more. Corsets regained popularity, cinching the waist to create a dramatic contrast with the increasingly full skirts. These skirts, sometimes reaching only to the ankles, were often padded with horsehair or other materials to achieve the desired fullness. The small puffed sleeves of the early 1820s evolved into the dramatic “leg-of-mutton” sleeves, which reached peak popularity in the mid-1830s.
The leg-of-mutton sleeves, often requiring padding or boning for support, created a broad-shouldered silhouette that further emphasized the tiny waist. Higher necklines also came into vogue for daywear, completing the fashionable shape: broad shoulders, a minuscule waist, and a voluminous skirt. Evening wear, however, retained lower necklines and shorter sleeves. This era witnessed a shift from the predominantly white and pastel color palettes of the Regency era to more vibrant and decorated clothing.
Chintz, a printed cotton fabric originating from China, gained immense popularity in the 1830s, adding to the era’s increasingly colorful fashion. The Romantic movement, reaching its peak during this time, profoundly impacted fashion trends. Romantic literature, particularly historical novels and plays, captivated a wide audience. Women, inspired by the heroines of these works, sought to emulate their styles, drawing inspiration from the Middle Ages and the Elizabethan era. This led to the resurgence of elements like small Elizabethan ruffs. In Germany, this period is known as the Biedermeier era, reflecting the Romantic movement’s influence on art, literature, and fashion.
