FASHION THEORY

Fashion Theory

Modernity in 18th and 19th century in relation to manchester

At the starting of the 18th 100 years the male silhouette differed substantially from that of today. A usual outfit comprised of a full-skirted knee-length outer garment, knee breeches, a vest or long waistcoat (which could be sleeved), a linen top with frills and linen under drawers as shown in image 1. Lower legs displayed and were a significant part of the silhouette. Men were dressed in fine gist stockings and cowhide footwear with stacked heels of reduced or intermediate height. The entire ensemble would have been covered by a shoulder-length full-bottomed wig and a tricorne (three-cornered) head covering with an upturned brim. (Blair 1993 p.21)

Industrilization

As shown in image 1, in the mid 18th 100 years the community of Britain was about 6 1/2 million. In the late 18th 100 years it increased quickly and by 1801 it was over 9 million.

Owning land was the major pattern of riches in the 18th century. Political power and leverage was in the hands of wealthy landowners. At the peak were the nobility. Below them were a class of almost wealthy landowners called the gentry. In the early 18th 100 years there was another class of landowners called yeomen between the wealthy and the poor. However throughout the 100 years this class became less and less numerous. However other middle class persons for example merchants and expert men became more affluent and more many, particularly in the towns.

Below them were the large mass of the community, craftsmen and labourers. In the 18th 100 years likely half the community dwelled as subsistence or bare survival level.

In the early 18th 100 years England endured from gin drinking. It was bargain and it was traded universal as you did not require a permit to deal it. Many persons wrecked their wellbeing by consuming gin. Yet for numerous poor persons consuming gin was their only comfort. The position advanced after 1751 when a levy was enforced on gin.

At the end of the 18th 100 years a assembly of Evangelical Christians called the Clapham Sect were formed. They campaigned for an end to slavery and fiendish sports. They were subsequent called the Clapham Sect because so numerous of them dwelled in Clapham. (Hall 2006 p.36)

Individualism

Image 1 shows that in the early 18th and 19th century years women was dressed in a dress renowned as a Mantua for prescribed occasions. The Mantua was an open-fronted fine gist or fine wool gown with a train and equivalent petticoat. The train was damaged looped up over the hips to disclose the petticoat. The bodice had loose elbow-length sleeves completed with broad turned-back cuffs. A hoop petticoat and some under-petticoats were dressed in damaged under the outside petticoat. It was made of linen and hardened with whale skeletal components injected between aligned lines of stitching. They fastened with lacing down the back which could be laced firmly to give an upright posture to the torso and to focus the ...