Victorian fashion

Victorian fashion seemed like a great point to start my styling research with. I headed to the library to find some books on Victorian style.

 

In this illustration we can see an example of a typical Victorian dress. A large bustle has been used to create shape as well as nipping the dress in at the waist through the use of corsets. The pattern is interesting too as it features both stripes and dots. I will endeavour to include stripes in my final outfit as stripes appear to be popular in both Victoran and modern "gothic" fashion. 

 

Here we can see a more casual Victorian outfit. Even with simple outfits there always tends to be a focal point or extra embellishments, such as the sash around the waist here.

Corsets are a vital part of Victorian style, they cinch in the waist and create fuller looking breasts and hips, the hourglass figure. 

References

Costume in Context - The Victorians by Jennifer Ruby (page 54)
Costume Reference 6 - The Victorians by Marion Sichel (pages 49 & 52)