Question

Clothing played a part in creating the Image of frail, submissive Victorian women. Explain.

Answer 1

(i) Women in Victorian England were groomed from childhood to be docile and dutiful, submissive and obedient. The ideal woman was one who could bear pain and suffering.
(ii) While men were expected to be serious, strong, Independent and aggressive, women were seen as frivolous, delicate, passive and docile, Norms of clothing reflected these ideals.
(iii) From childhood, girls were tightly laced up and dressed in stays which meant to restrict the growth of their bodies, contain them within small moulds.
(iv) When slightly older, girls had to wear tight-fitting corsets, Tightly Laced small waisted women were admired as attractive, elegant and graceful. Clothing, thus, played a part in creating the image of frail, submissive Victorian women.