The Edwardian era marked by the death of Queen Victoria and rise of King Edward has carved out a niche for itself in the fashion industry. How we dress today draws its roots from how fashion used to look decades back. Top fashionistas often draw inspirations from fashion history to come up with unique ideas. This is why people dress straight out of a history book at costume parties.
Every fashion era has their archetypes and the Edwardian trendsetters were the Gibson Girl and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. The fictitious character of Gibson Girl became the feminine ideal of fashion for the next 20 years and was depicted as a sophisticated yet fun-loving and strong lass having ample bust and hips, slender waist and a long neck. Alice Roosevelt Longworth was a beautiful and outspoken public figure belonging to the high society in USA who gave major fashion inspirations to ladies across the globe with her flamboyant dressing.
If you are thinking of channeling vintage vibes and clicking Insta-worthy pictures at the next party, then you have come to the right place. Today we are going to analyze Edwardian costumes and also share some insights on replicating its ground-breaking fashion with a modern vibe.
The Foundation of the Edwardian
Edwardian fashion was practically signified by high-neck blouses although the collar was almost restrictive in terms of its height and often boned. The very foundation of the Edwardian silhouette was an S-bend corset or S-curve which was named after a woman’s S-shaped curves while wearing the same.
Corsets have recently taken the shape of shapewear or Spanx for offering breathability to your skin, unlike the restraining corsets which actually made it difficult to breathe.
The Edwardian Blouses
Next you need to browse through different Edwardian styles and choose the one which you like best. Be it pompadour hair, flowing skirts or lacy blouses, your selected style should resonate with your personality. Edwardian blouses were all about lines of ruffles and pieces of beadwork.
Evening wear bodices showcased a square, round or sweetheart neckline for flaunting more skin. The two-piece dress was very much in vogue during this era. Skirts were tight-fitting around the hips and flared out gently around the hemline to create a trumpet-like shape. Often the skirts came decorated with ruffles of lace or fabric at the hemline which made the Edwardian ladies look pristine.
The Edwardian Flair
Once the style has been decided on, you will have to scan through your closet to search for items carrying an Edwardian flair. If you don’t find anything which fits into the category, then you can visit a thrift store or check out different online portals selling vintage clothing. Mixing some of these clothes with the ones you already own can help you add a modern flair to your Edwardian look.
Edwardian Jewelers
As the middle class grew in size, more and more people started to go on holidays during the Edwardian era to the seaside. Jewelers responded to this change in the form of refined and elegant pieces resembling metal woven like lace.
Its intricate filigree patterns came studded with diamonds for being worn with silk and lace flowing dresses. Chokers studded elaborately with diamonds were an absolute rage during the Edwardian time whereas rose cut diamonds set in platinum were considered to be the epitome of fashion. Another favorite of Edwardian women was pearls set in platinum. If you are finding it hard to start with a completely new style, then it is always advisable to experiment with the accessories. You can easily find Edwardian-inspired necklace or earrings from different online stores to elevate your vintage fashion.
Once you have assembled the different pieces you wish to try from the vintage era, you can add a dash of modernness with any of your latest clothing. Nailing a unique yet interesting look becomes easy by pairing a frilly blouse with having sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, and puffy sleeves with fitted jeans and a faux diamond choker. See different types of sleeves. You can easily impart a modern touch to a fuller skirt having flares near the hemline with a plain tee shirt.
Conclusion - Modern Edwardian Fashion
Edwardian fashion was all about liberation from the demanding looks and heavy dresses of Victorian time. Slimmer silhouettes having a simple style and less embellishments in shades of pastels helped women showcase their feminine flair. More emphasis was laid on the defined waist and wide hips of ladies which was made possible via corsets.
