In the 19th century, styles in art and costume changed at a dizzying pace. And already in the 1830s to replace Empire style comes romanticism. Romanticism will not last long. From the middle of the 19th century, style will come into fashion second rococo, and by the 1870s it will be replaced by positivism.



The most striking change of styles took place in the women's costume of the 19th century. Fashion has changed and often quite profoundly. At the same time, the men's costume throughout the 19th century basically remained practically unchanged.

So, if even in the first decades of the 19th century women wore simple shirt-cut dresses with sleeves-lanterns, then already in the 1830s, corsets and richly decorated dresses with fluffy skirts again come into fashion.



Dresses in the style of romanticism are divided into casual and ballroom. Casual dresses have no neckline. Ball gowns are often off the shoulder. The sleeves of ball gowns can be either short or long. Long gloves were worn with dresses with short sleeves.

Another feature of romanticism style dresses is that the sleeves and skirts of these dresses take the shape of a bell.

The colors of the dresses are different. Plaid dresses are in vogue. Shawls and scarves are worn with dresses. For example, an esharp scarf, which falls from behind to the waist, after which it is thrown in front on arms bent at the elbows. Or a boa scarf - a round scarf made of fur or ostrich feathers.



The fashion for hats appears. During the period of romanticism, the most popular is the bonnet hat - a headdress with a high hat crown (for hair pulled back to the back of the head) and with wide rigid brims framing the face, tapering towards the back of the head. The hood was held on the head by wide ribbons that were tied under the chin with a bow.

Also, women's riding clothes - an amazon dress - are in vogue. The Amazon dress consisted of a long cloth skirt and a narrow blouse. A hat with a veil and gloves were worn with such a dress.



The style of romanticism in European art is most widespread in England and Germany.

English artists of that time painted landscapes causing melancholy with inclement and foggy weather, and writers in their books told stories of beautiful poor girls who, once in a mysterious haunted castle, having overcome all difficulties and trials, became mistresses of the castle and married beautiful princes ... Thus, the artists created romantic landscapes, and the writers created those famous English novels of the 19th century.



But not only interest in the feelings and emotions of viewers and readers was characteristic of romanticism. Another feature of this style is interest in the past. Moreover, interest in the past, history and mythology, of one's own country, and not, for example, as it was before, in mythology Ancient Greece.

It was during the period of romanticism that the British remember King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the French - about Joan of Arc. It was at this time that fairy tales were written and legends were written.

And the most favorite historical period for people of the first half of the 19th century is the Middle Ages. Interest in the Middle Ages is reflected in the fashion of that time, mainly in jewelry. For example, ferronieres - women's head jewelry in the form of a narrow ribbon with precious stones - come into fashion.



In addition to the Middle Ages, the East is of interest.The 19th century is the time of colonial empires. Both England and France had their colonies in the countries of the East. In the costume, the fascination with the East will be reflected both in patterns with oriental motives, and in the appearance of this type of men's home clothing as a robe.



As for the male costume of the Romantic period in general, it was not subject to such significant changes as the female costume. Men still wear light trousers-pantaloons, and a vest, tailcoat or frock coat of darker shades on top. And a variety of coats. One of the most popular was the carrick coat, a multi-collar coat.



However, there were also some innovations. So, in the period of romanticism, there is a fashion for checkered fabrics. And it was during the period of romanticism that dandies appeared.

It is believed that the emergence of dandyism is associated with an attempt by young people from wealthy families to express their protest against the same type of fashion in a man's suit of the 19th century, which is the same for all classes.



The emergence of dandyism is associated with a man named George Brummel. He is considered not only the most famous dandy, but also the first dandy in history. It was George Brummell who introduced the principle of "casual elegance" in dress, which became the guide for all those who wanted to look like a dandy.



George Brummel in the first half of the 19th century was considered not only a trendsetter, but even called "the prime minister of elegance." Among his friends were the heir to the English throne and the future Prime Minister of England, who also became adherents ideals dandy.

George Brummell outlined his views on fashion in his book "Men's and Women's Suit".



The principle of "casual elegance" in a man's suit was as follows: the collar of a white starched shirt was never buttoned, a scarf was tied carelessly, hair should be slightly tousled, the suit must be sewn from good quality fabric, much attention was paid to accessories. The dandies wore gloves that they almost never took off, an expensive watch, a cane or an umbrella-cane.

An obligatory attribute of a man's costume in the style of romanticism was a headdress - a top hat. Men's hairstyles were short haircuts. Beards and mustaches were not worn, but sideburns were in fashion.