A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion & Beauty by Mimi Matthews (Paperback)

What did a Victorian lady wear for a walk in the park? How did she style her hair for an evening at the theater? What products might she have used for sunburn or blemishes? Mimi Matthews answers these questions as she takes readers on a journey through Victorian fashion & beauty history. Women’s clothing changed dramatically during the Victorian era. Necklines rose, waistlines dropped, & Gothic severity gave way to flounces, frills, & trimmings. Sleeves ballooned & skirts billowed. The crinoline morphed into the bustle, & corsets cinched waists tighter. As fashion evolved, so did trends in hair care & cosmetics. An era that prized natural beauty ended with women purchasing lip & cheek rouge, false hairpieces, pomades, & perfumes made with spice oils & animal essences. Using research from beauty books, fashion magazines, & journals, Matthews highlights the intricacies of a Victorian lady’s toilette and the social issues influencing women’s clothing.