dress and you must not forget about several important Victorian accessories in fashion. These accessories will ensemble the ornamentation of Victorian era was known for, Accessories helped women to fashion their identities and were always much more than incidental finishing touches to their elaborate dress just like in Victorian England. Victorian fashion accessories explore how women’s use of brooch, parasols, hats and hat pins, gloves and vanity sets revealed their economic status, gender and complicity with colonial expansions.
- BROOCH JEWELRY
Usually depicting a portrait of a lady or Greek goddess, a Victorian brooch is also a large and heavy pin. In 1890s they were smaller and lighter in design. Some are gold plated that had intricate patterns or large gems surrounded by a detailed frame. There are also garnets and turquoise set with seed pearls that are popular from 1865. Brooches are best worn on a high neck dress or blouse on the upper left side. An instant way to dress up a plain outfit either for day or night events. Human hair of a loved one, or even a deceased family member can be crafted into brooches.
- VICTORIAN PARASOL
The true purpose of having a parasol is to shade your face, neck and arms from the harmful rays of the sun. Carriage parasols are needed to be small enough to fit inside a carriage. If you have more skin exposed, the larger your parasol would need to be. Parasols are very useful that way. Mostly they are not waterproof. They are made by solid material or white lace. The fancy handles are intricately carved wood designs or even ivory. Since there are so many fashionable hats, a stylish, rose-colored parasol would provide a woman of certain age with the glow of the youth.
- LADIES GLOVES
Gentlemen, not just ladies, would feel naked without a fine pair of gloves. A middle-class woman could help her indicate her class aspirations by the color and fit of a pair of gloves. There are two types of lady’s outfit gloves – formal and informal. A formal ladies’ gloves were short to the wrist or a little above, until 1880s when long elbow gloves and beyond were worn in the evening. They were often made from white kid leather. Informal gloves were usually worn during daytime and required only less formality. Informal gloves were wrist length, usually short, made from homemade lace. All types were very snugly fitting.
- HATS AND HAT PINS
As the Victorian era progressed, stylish hats grew increasingly more decorated and matched a wealthy woman’s dress. Depending on the decade, class and activity, most stylish hats carried different purposes were held into place by hat pins. In 1820s, antique hat pins were strong metal with a blunt pointed tip that pierced through the hat became popular because ladies needed some way to secure their hats to their hair as bonnet ribbons went out of style. The pin’s end was decorated with jewels and large glass beads.
- BEADED PURSE
In Victorian accessories, an item that a lady would feel imperfect without having would be her purse. Purses were sewn with intricate glass beaded designs and closed silver clasps or brass. These are highly collectible nowadays. Ladies didn’t have a need for cell phones, wallets, or makeup that’s why purses are small. Even though they lack in size, they make up in exquisite detail. Carry your purse to your next Victorian party and it will be an immediate attraction. If you make a beaded purse, it will consume your time but not particularly difficult.
