Victorian Bustle Dresses

Bustle Fashion - By the 1880s, the soft curve of bustle gowns from the early 1870s changed. A new silhouette emerged. This new style had a sharply tailored look in the front and extra drapery in the back. The trailing part had disappeared.
 

A bustle or tournure, along with a fitted paneled skirt, created a straight front. It clung to the hips and flared out at the back. The back fullness was either gathered or pleated.
 

The evolution of the bustle dress silhouette throughout the Victorian era can be traced through three significant phases:

• Early Bustle Period (1869-1876): This time introduced a separate bodice and skirt. The bodice had a high neck and tight sleeves. The bustle, enhanced by petticoats, added volume, creating a pronounced back profile while maintaining elegance.
• Natural Form Period (1877-1882): This time marked a shift from busy styles. It used pleats and draping to create a similar effect. The designer added fullness to the back of the skirt. This creates a flat look in the front, highlighting a more natural shape.
• Late Bustle Period (1883-1889): The return of the true bustle brought a more extreme style, with higher and larger skirts. Drapery from the Natural Form Period was common. It added to the dramatic back profile that defined the fashion of that time.

This journey through time shows how Victorian fashion changed silhouette shapes. It combined structure with style, leading to the famous bustle designs of the 1880s.
 

At VictorianDancer, we have many 19th Century Dresses and Victorian Bustle Gowns for every trend of the time. All our Historical Costumes are available free custom-made for you.