The Gilded Age: Fashion and Resurgence

The Gilded Age: Fashion and Resurgence

The theme of the 2022 Met Gala was Gilded Glamour and unsurprisingly we have seen many of the fashion trends of this era trickle down into the mainstream.

 

The Gilded Age, a period in American history spanning from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, was a time of opulence and extravagance. The fashion trends of the Gilded Age were a reflection of the wealth and social status of the elite, particularly women. In this blog post, we will explore the fashion trends of women during the Gilded Age and it's resurgence into the modern day.

Silhouette The silhouette of women's fashion during the Gilded Age was characterized by a narrow waist and a full, rounded skirt. This was achieved through the use of corsets, which cinched the waist and created an hourglass figure. The skirts were often long and full, made of luxurious fabrics such as silk, velvet, and satin. Some skirts were even adorned with elaborate beading and embroidery.

Corsets are one of the biggest trends of 2022 and now 2023, instead of seeing them under garments we now see them on display, worn as statement tops and dreses.

Accessories Accessories were an essential part of women's fashion during the Gilded Age. Hats, in particular, were a popular accessory. Bonnets, wide-brimmed hats, and feathered headpieces were all in vogue. Gloves were another essential accessory, often reaching up to the elbow and made of silk or leather.

We have definitely seen plenty of opera gloves paired with mini dresses this season. It will be interesting to see if other cute accessories such as fans, parasols and hats become popular too.

 

Jewelry was also an important accessory for women. Pearls were particularly popular, and were often worn as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Diamond jewelry was also popular among the wealthy elite. Today pearl chokers and delicate necklaces have definitely come in style.

 

Colors and Fabrics Women's fashion during the Gilded Age was characterized by luxurious fabrics and rich colors. Velvet, silk, and satin were popular choices for dresses, and were often dyed in deep, rich colors such as burgundy, navy, and emerald green. Pastel colors were also in vogue, particularly for daytime wear. 

In 2023 rich colours and florals are showing up more. Textures that are flashy and boujoir have also become popular including velvets, feather and sequin/diamante detailing.

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