When I saw Gilded Age fashion for the very first time, what struck me most about it was that the fashion of the time was the embodiment of that time. Clothes served more purpose than being something to wear. They talked about money and ambition and the arts. We could amble through this glitzy time and learn what made Gilded Age fashion so remarkable.
What is Gilded Age fashion?
What was Gilded Age fashion, precisely? It’s the trendiest item we have from the clothing America wore during the 1870s through the early 1900s. These were the years of big industrial growth, riches, and changes in society. People started using fashion as a way to show their level of class. Fashion became a statement of class.
Women often wore corsets, bustles, and layered gowns. Dresses had high collars during the day and lower necklines at night. Men leaned toward tailored suits, waistcoats, and top hats. Think of it as style mixed with a sense of power.
Is the fashion in Gilded Age accurate?
That’s a question I asked myself too. Many movies and TV shows try to recreate this style. But are they always accurate?
The truth is, much of the style we see on screen does capture the spirit. Actually, a lot of the designs represented in the movies really convey the essence of the period. To tell the story, they do employ certain inventive aspects. True to Gilded Age period clothing was likely more robust, less flexible, and more decorated than the ones made nowadays. I suppose it was very difficult to move in those original dresses and tight corsets, but they make it look easy on the screen!
So, while you get the essence, you miss the full weight and struggle of the original designs.
What colors represent the Gilded Age?
Colors during this time were bold but also elegant. Colours were very striking but elegant too at this time. I fancy walking into a ballroom and the deep greens, rich burgundy, sapphire blue and gold embroidery are glittering underneath the gaslight chandeliers. Black was also a hit for its elegance.
Unlike today’s pastel trends, Gilded Age fashion lived in jewel tones. Wealthy families flaunted imported silks and velvets dyed in these shades. Colors were a way of saying, “I’ve arrived,” without even speaking.
Who designs the clothes for the Gilded Age?
Now here’s the real story. In America, many designs were inspired by European fashion houses. Paris set the tone, and everyone else followed its lead. Haute couture designers like Charles Worth had huge influence. Wealthy women would even travel abroad or hire seamstresses to recreate French styles at home.
At the same time, department stores began to rise. Ready-made clothing slowly entered the scene. Still, for the super-rich, couture was the crown jewel. I can almost picture the excitement of receiving a new gown from Paris.
Does The Gilded Age still exist?
In some ways, yes. The exact period is gone. But the culture of excess persists. When I see some of those modern gowns for galas or theme balls, it’s hard for me to not think of Gilded Age fashion. Designers today continue to poach from her repertoire — corseted waists, layered skirts, embroidered treatments.
Even television series such as The Gilded Age has revved interest. And let’s be honest, we all love a bit of sparkle and drama in clothing. That spirit never really left us.
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Why does it matter today?
For me, fashion isn’t just history. It’s a mirror. The Gildead Age fashion (yes, I spelled that wrong on purpose!) shows us how people used clothes to display wealth, identity, and even hope. Today, we still do the same, just in different fabrics and shapes.
Moreover, understanding the past helps us to recognize the luxury we have today. Just think about changing your sneakers for uncomfortable leather boots and thick skirts every day!
Final Thoughts
Next time you, my friend, spot a corseted dress or a neat tailored suit, envision the Gilded Age style. Dressing was not only a fashion statement of the time. It was style, substance, and show.
Moreover, what makes this more enjoyable is that you can include some characteristics of that era in your look. It could be a velvet jacket, a bright jewel-toned color, or a lace detail. The up and down of fashion trends will still be around, but the origin of fashion will always be acknowledged.
