These words by Bill Cunningham, a fashion photographer for The New York Times, hold a timeless truth, especially when we reflect on the lives of Victorian teenage girls.
In this era, clothing was more than just fashion; it symbolized status and propriety. Young girls wore layered garments, corsets, and voluminous skirts, each marking their move from childhood to adulthood.
We’ve collected some lovely portraits of Victorian teenage girls between the 1840s and 1890s. Keep scrolling down to see them.
#1
Actress Maude Fealy (1883 – 1971)
With the sleeve emerging voluminous at the shoulder and tapering to the wrist, this girl looked more elegant and attractive.
#2
A little girl with two black braids and a full dress
The dress the girl wore seems to belong to the 1840s – Modest Beginnings. She wore a dress with fitted bodices and full skirts. The skirt was gathered or pleated, falling to the ankle or floor length.
#3.
She dressed in a skirt draped and gathered at the back to emphasize this new shape. a style of The Bustle Era
#4.
This young lady looks elegant with the addition of a unique hat
#5.
With her curly locks and cool expression, she looked even more elegant
#6.
She looked like a professional violinist, captivating everyone in her elegant outfit
#7.
The black dress paired with lace gloves and a small necklace with a single gemstone highlighted her fair skin
#8.
The gold jewelry emphasized her sophistication
#9.
These two little angels are probably sisters
#10.
From dress to jewelry she wore, everything was a mysterious black
#11.
The skirt she dressed in reached maximum fullness, supported by multiple petticoats or hoop skirts
#12.
This little girl with an angelic face wore a wide-brimmed hat and a rather simple dress
#13.
This adorable couple wore dresses with maximum fullness, in contrasting colors
#14.
Holding a small, cute basket in her tiny hands, this little girl looked even more adorable
#15.
A fashionable teenager reading a book as she walked along
#16.
Three teenage girls having fun with a bicycle
#17.
A group of teenage girls in the latest fashion. ‘Mutton-chop sleeves’
Phyllis Brown, the historian behind The History Insider, started the site to share interesting and accurate history stories. Passionate about making history easy to understand, Phyllis brings the past to life, helping readers connect with stories that still matter today.
Phyllis Brown
