Victorian Fashion

I have started my research by looking at the wider context of the time period in which 'Great Expectations is set'. I looked into the fashions of the time so that I have a good idea of appropriate costume when it comes to styling my characters, and found that upper classes women's wear would be very expensive pieces due to the workmanship involved, explaining why it is mainly ladies clothing that have survived the period, however, it was the middle classes that would take the style of these garments by having local tailors copy the high fashion or making the clothes themselves on a large scale; The lower classes relied on second hand, oversized garments to alter in size and fashion for themselves to wear.

Women's outfits would consist of a full skirt supported by heavy, stiffened petticoats or short jackets made from natural materials like cotton, wool and silks.

Here are some examples of fashion and footwear of the period; the shoe incorporates a floral pattern and is very delicate, which relates to the women's role of the time which was seen as to be in the home in the role of caring mother and wife. During the period they would either be laced up with ribbon or delicate fabric buttons. Women would also wear shoe spats to create the boot look, an accessory that is no longer prevalent today. The watercolour of the dress is typical of a middle class woman's wardrobe, with full sleeves, nipped in waist and decorative hat.

This research will help me when it comes to styling my characters of Miss Havisham and Estella, as this is an accurate look into what real life women of their stature would have worn during the Victorian era.