Neoclassical
In this period, several new fashion trends arose. While during this time period there weren't fashion designers or brands the way there are now, they did have several ways of styling themselves that became very prominent. Most of the new clothing trends in the early neoclassical period were very intricately designed. High waisted (sometimes called the "empire silhouette") became very common in the United States, and were popularized by Josephine Bonaparte, French Emperor Napoleon's wife. The style of this time focused on very narrow, tight bodices, and large poofy skirts. The sleeves in these dresses usually had some sort of decoration, such as ruffles or bows. The women wore shoes with high, curled heels that were made of leather or fabric and had a big buckle on the front. Lastly, the women wore huge wigs high up on their heads. On the other hand, fashion for women in the romantic period was much simpler, being more focused on Greek style. Later in the period large poofy sleeves became very popular.
The coats that men wore were mostly the same as the previous period, but the flaps in the back became narrower. Another thing that changed was that waistcoats shortened in length. In the 1830s, the first pants with buttons visible in the crotch area were designed. This caused quite an outcry among certain religious groups, and Mormon leader Brigham Young widely discouraged these pants, nicknaming them "fornication pants." Men also wore wigs for special occasions, which were shortened from the periwigs of the Baroque period.
The coats that men wore were mostly the same as the previous period, but the flaps in the back became narrower. Another thing that changed was that waistcoats shortened in length. In the 1830s, the first pants with buttons visible in the crotch area were designed. This caused quite an outcry among certain religious groups, and Mormon leader Brigham Young widely discouraged these pants, nicknaming them "fornication pants." Men also wore wigs for special occasions, which were shortened from the periwigs of the Baroque period.
Romantic
This time period served as a transition between the old empire style of the neoclassical period to the new romantic style. During this time period, waists became lower and lower as skirts became fuller. Dresses were cut in an A shape as the thinnest part of the dress was higher at the waist and the fullest part was the bottom. Some new style traits that came about were neck ruffs and slashing, which was cutting parts of a dress to see the underneath. By the 1830s the flat skirt was replaces entirely by the full poofy skirt. A typical hemline for a dress at that time was around the ankles or sometimes even shorter. The gigot sleeve also came into fashion, as did large white collars and pelerines. Dresses were most commonly made of cotton, and when venturing outside ladies always wore high rimmed bonnets. In the early 1940s a whalebone corset became a necessary style item. Gowns started being sewn in one piece instead of having the bodice and skirt as two separate pieces.
Children in this period wore mostly the same clothes, the only difference being that the girls' clothing had more lace ornamentation on it. Over time girls clothing became more and more like their mothers' with only a few small differences. On the other hand, boys merely wore tunics or shirts and ankle length trousers. On special occasions the boys would also wear white boy ties.
Children in this period wore mostly the same clothes, the only difference being that the girls' clothing had more lace ornamentation on it. Over time girls clothing became more and more like their mothers' with only a few small differences. On the other hand, boys merely wore tunics or shirts and ankle length trousers. On special occasions the boys would also wear white boy ties.