Victorian Walking Dress

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Date:1870 - 1900 (c.)

Description:The bodice and skirt ensemble were worn as a walking dress.
Walking dresses were tighter than normal clothes, typically with long sleeves and skirt. They also would have been worn with a small hat or bonnet and gloves and maybe a shawl.

The bodice is very tight with many fastenings, for example hooks around the neck to keep the piece secure. The bodice would have been very uncomfortable to wear for long periods because of how tight it is, as even the cuffs are small.
Boning, sewn into the bodice added structure and rigidity to the bodice and helped to prevent wrinkles and folds keeping the fabric as smooth as possible. During the Victorian period you would have been considered a 'loose woman' if you didn't wear a corset or boned bodice!

The skirt would have been worn with a bustle and is very simple compared to the bodice. The simple floral pattern down the dress was designed to add decoration and to make the woman seem taller.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1500s
Stage Coach Route Map, London to Carlisle
Stage Coach Route Map, London to Carlisle

This map displays 6 sections showing the route from London and Carlisle. The map ...

1570s
Map of Staffordshire County
Map of Staffordshire County

This map shows the county of Staffordshire and shows settlements such as Uttoxeter, ...

1850s
Victorian Ladies Black and Gold Apron
Victorian Ladies Black and Gold Apron

This apron was made for formal wear or for show as it has no practical use; instead ...

1870s
Victorian Pram Umbrella / Parasol
Victorian Pram Umbrella / Parasol

This solid practical umbrella was probably used for a pram either as a sun shade ...

1890s
Bodice with leg o'mutton sleeves, c.1895-1906
Bodice with leg o'mutton sleeves, c.1895-1906

At the turn of the century people started to move away from the extravagance of ...

1960s
Ladies Silk Dress, 1960s
Ladies Silk Dress, 1960s

This silk dress was handmade and has a hand painted design of flowers. It probably ...

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Donor ref:M.1997.163® (22/28237)

Source: Brampton Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme

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