1900s - The end of an era

Ever since the Middle Ages to the 1900s women lived in a patriarchal society where they were seen as objects that men could use to boast about their wealth. The more obvious it was that a woman did not have to work, the wealthier they were; and this was shown through their attire. The S-Bend corset was the statement piece of the era, sexually objectifying wealthy women by structuring the spine, ribcage and internal organs in such an unnatural and fatal form, so their bust and posterior would stand out from their waist.

In these times families were either rich or poor. Poor factory workers’ families lived in back-to-back houses, whereas the homeless and orphans were made to live in the workhouses up until 1905 where they were replaced by specified units for different situations(Higginbotham, 2012). These families wore whatever would keep them covered and warm so their clothes were made from very basic, and often recycled fabrics which were repaired until they were impossible to wear. Often children's clothes were made from their parent's old clothing.

Back-to-back housing in Bolton 

Women in the workhouse

As there were no major designers to aspire to at this time and wealth was deemed as incredibly important the monarchy were looked up to for fashion trends, even one of the most popular magazines at the time was called “The Queen”. After the death of Queen Victoria and through the reign of King Edward, the social divide between different social statuses and sexes became more relaxed as women took action and decided that they deserved the vote.

King Edward and Queen Alexandra

References

Higginbotham, P. (2012) The New Poor Law [online] United Kingdom: Workhouses. Available from: http://www.workhouses.org.uk/poorlaws/newpoorlaw.shtml [16 March 2012]

Bibliography

Alison (2010) The 1900s: The Beautiful Age [online] Texas: BlogSpot. Available from: http://jeunexstyliste.blogspot.co.uk/ [25/04/2012]

Blackleaf. (2010) The Antique Chair that gives an eye-popping insight into Edward VII’s debauched youth [online]. Canada: Canadian Content. Available from: http://forums.canadiancontent.net/history/91043-antique-chair-gives-eye-popping.html [25/04/2012] 

Bradlibs. (ND) Housing [online] Bradlibs. Available from: http://www.bradlibs.com/boltonwoodshistory/03/housing/index.htm [25/04/2012]

Haabet (2009) File: Coronet Corset Co.gif  [online]. Wikipedia. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coronet_Corset_Co.gif [25/04/2012]

Hough, A. (2010) Victorian era doctor ‘escaped the sack despite treating pauper in acid bath’ [online] United Kingdom: Telegraph. Available from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7952462/Victorian-era-doctor-escaped-the-sack-despite-treating-pauper-in-acid-bath.html [25/04/2012]