French Fashion: 1800s, 1900s, and TodayBy Elizabeth Juengling

Types: Women, Men, and Children1800s

Women’s Clothing in the 1800s• In the 1800s women

wore long flowing dresses based upon the classical designs of the Greeks and Romans. • These dresses were not

only elegant and beautiful, but they were very comfortable.

Men’s Clothing in 1800s• Men were as

interested in looking skinny as the women were. To look skinny they would tie sashes around their waists to make them appear smaller.

• Things that were very popular were shirts with high collars.

• Then by the 1850s coats with tails became popular.

Young Children’s Clothing in 1800s• Babies: They

would wear what they called long wear. It is a dress that is longer than the baby, meant to keep them warm.

• Toddlers: Both boys and girls would wear dresses. Often they would wear small white caps to complete the look.

Children’s Clothing 1800s• Boys: When the boys turned

4 they would be able to wear trousers. They would often wear a long coat.

• Girls: They continue to wear dresses, with age deciding the length of the dress. When they are 12 the dress comes to their knees. When they are 17 their skirt reaches their ankles. The dresses are generally heavily decorated.

• They always wore hats.

Types: Women, Men, Children1900s

Women’s clothing in the 1900s• Women wore dresses

that will make their stomachs look smaller than they actually are. These dresses will also make their hips look bigger. Blouses and dresses were puffed, high-collared necklines were common, and the waist was narrowed further with a belt. Women wore exceptionally long skirts and dresses, several of which even had a tail.

Women’s Clothing in the 1900s (Continued)• However toward

the end of the 1900s the skinny stomach and the big hips were out. They started making dresses that fit the natural shape of the body.

Men’s Clothing in the 1900s• Men’s shirts had

tall and stiff collars. • Men were also very

interested in wearing hats. They wore many different kinds. The upper class men wore top hats.

• Then everyone else wore bowler hats or straw hats.

Children's Clothing in the 1900s• Girls: Girls' dresses

were simpler designs than a woman's dress and were long enough to cover the knee. If the weather allowed, a wool coat and leather or cloth gloves were worn. Hats were often worn daily.

Children’s Clothing in the 1900s• Boys: Boys

dressed in sailor suits.• The older

boys wore knee pants with a short jacket. A tie completed the nice outfit.

Types: Women, Men, Children

Now

Women’s Clothing Now• Women today

wear sophisticated and classic dress styles.• The French can fit

in with the culture by dressing and accessorizing according to French standards.

Men’s Clothing Now• Men, just like

the women, wear sophisticated clothing. It is required that they wear well-fitting clothes, meaning that they can’t wear big sweat-pants and big t-shirts.

Children’s Clothing Today• Children today wear clothing fun, colorful, and is high quality. All of the clothing uses harmonious colors.

Citation

Absorba - Designer Children's Clothing from France. dashinfashion.com. Dashion Fashion, n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.