FMS408GothicHorrorSalmonM: Victorian Fashion For Men 1840- 1900.

After researching on Victorian women beauty Ideals and fashion, I wanted to take the time to research the same history for Victorian men also. My reasoning for this is because for my Victorian inspired character from my chosen novel, is going to be a man, (Dorian Gray) and I feel it is important for me to look at both genders so that I can show development within my ideas. I have used the online source http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/h/history-of-fashion-1840-1900/ which is the official website of the Victoria and Albert museum to find information on Victorian men's fashion and hairstyles.

1840's Victorian Men

Inspired by Prince Albert, Victorian men commonly wore flared frock coats that created an hour glass shape. Also, tight fitting trousers and tailored waistcoats with high collars and neck ties. Victorian men wore their quite long in length but swept to the sides out of the face and commonly had a moustache or long side burns.

1841 Victorian Man.
Google Sourced Image.
http://www.victoriana.com/Mens-Clothing/images/1841-31.jpg
The above image best describes the typical appearance of an 1840's Victorian man.

1850's Victorian Men

Matching coats, waistcoats and trousers were very popular and so were heavily inspired Prince Albert hairstyles such as 'large mutton - chop- side - burns and moustaches. High fastened, tight fitting frock coats and high collars with large bows around the neck were also very popular. A new style of coat called the 'sack coat' was also introduced, which was a ' thigh-length, loosely fitted jacket" and this soon became popular also. Around the 1850's a new style of hat called the 'Bowler hat', this was associated with the working class a lot and became a common hat for working class men, where as upper class men preferred 'Top Hats'.

1850's Victorian Man.
Google Sourced Image of a traditional 1850's Victorian man.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3c/17/d3/3c17d3e649a2798e6c63dbd5d18dd649.gif

Bowler Hat.
Google Sourced image.
http://www.photodetective.co.uk/jpegs/Bowler-A.jpg

1850's Top Hat.
Google Sourced Image.
http://www.victoriana.com/Mens-Clothing/images/mens_hats-14.jpg http://www.photodetective.co.uk/jpegs/Bowler-A.jpg

1860's Victorian Men

Single-breasted, semi-fitted coats extending down to the mid thigh became very popular and a new fashion trend. Waistcoats were still worn and very much part of Victorian mens traditional clothing but, were often collarless and single-breasted. High starched collars were normally worn with cravats and neck-ties. Victorian hair for men in the 1860's was still styled in a centre parting away from the face, where as the styling of the moustache and and beard became more particular, being called 'Dundreary whiskers' or 'Piccadilly weepers' this hairstyle consisted of long whiskers worn with a full beard and a defined drooping moustache.

1860's Victorian Man
Google Sourced Image.
http://www.victoriana.com/Mens-Clothing/images/1863_Victorian_men_10.jpg

1870's Victorian Men

Mens jackets, coats and waistcoats were semi-fitted, thigh-length and buttoned high on the chest. Shirt collars were normally stiff and upstanding, with the tips turned down into wings. Mens hair was worn parted at the centre as normal with all types of facial hair which was acceptable.

1870's Victorian Man.
Google sourced Image.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7d/11/36/7d113602b3e23aa78254170602156e94.jpg

1880's Victorian Men

In the 1880's slim-fitting longue suits were becoming very popular and were normally worn open or partially undone to reveal the high buttoning waist coat and watch-chain. Collars on shirts where still stiff and high standing.

1880's Victorian Man.
Google Sourced Image.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7d/11/36/7d113602b3e23aa78254170602156e94.jpg

1890's Victorian Men

The 1890's introduced a new three piece lounge suit this became very popular and was regularly worn by 1890's men and onwards. Frock coats were still worn, but commonly by older or more conservative men in society. Collars were also still high and upstanding, although towards the end of the century collars were worn turned down and with the modern long, knotted tie style. Mens hair in the 1890's was worn cut short, and parted at the side. Heavy moustaches became popular and beards where still worn but usually by older men and many men began to wear clean shaven faces instead of having facial hair.