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The world’s history is incredibly vast, filled with eras, revolutions, cultures, and change. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re swimming in a sea of information with no idea where to start. But every now and then, it’s refreshing to slow down and take a peek into just one time period. A focused look into the past can reveal just how rich, beautiful, and even relatable it truly was That’s why we’re so drawn to the Facebook group “Everything Victorian & Edwardian.” With nearly 500,000 followers, it’s clear that many people love getting a glimpse into the charm and complexity of that era. It’s not just about lace dresses and antique furniture, it’s about seeing the past with fresh eyes. Keep scrolling and discover the timeless beauty and occasional surprise of a world long gone.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ball Gown By The Design House: House Of Worth (French, 1858–1956) Silk, Cotton, Metallic Thread, Glass, Metal
Facefullopubes 3 weeks ago
More importantly, what did it cost the person who made it, her health and wellbeing.
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RELATED:
#2
Apparently Nobody Told This 1880s Baby He Wasn't Supposed To Smile For His Picture! Seriously, This Is One Of The Best Baby Pictures I Have Ever Seen
#3
Photograph Of An Unknown Young Woman Smiling, By Carlos Relvas, Circa 1880
The Victorian era lasted a whopping 63 years, from 1837 to 1901, when Queen Victoria ruled over Great Britain and Ireland. It was an age of steam trains, gas lamps, and letters that took days to arrive. Then came the Edwardian era, which kicked off in 1901 when King Edward VII took the throne. It didn’t last long, just until 1910, but it packed in a lot of change.
#4
Mother And Daughter, 1880s
#5
Four Generations, CA. 1905
Lila Allen 1 month ago
With my oldest it's a reverse. You can't tell at all that I'm his mom ( husband is Native American) Our youngest is at least a bit of a blend...but yeah clearly I have the weaker genes
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#6
Evening Dress Of Queen Victoria Of Sweden, 1906. From The Royal Armory And Hallwyl Museum
Helena 1 month ago
If you start training corsets early, it literally changes your structure. Plus padding up top and on hips/b**t helped the illusion along.
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The Edwardian and Victorian eras were both fascinating chapters in history, but they also couldn’t be more different. One was all about structure and seriousness, while the other started leaning into freedom and flair. These changes didn’t just happen overnight, they were shaped by big shifts in technology, travel, and how people saw the world. And nothing captures those changes better than the clothes people wore. Every ruffle and ribbon told a little story about what mattered at the time.
#7
Mother And Daughter Watching A Tall Ship On The River Thames In London Around 1880. Absent But Dear
Susan Raskin 3 weeks ago
powerful photo. Draws you in. Makes me wonder to know the who, what, when, and why of it. A bit haunting
#8
Les Modes, At The Races - 1910
PenguinEmp 1 month ago
Then try moving around in it for fifteen minutes. It's like wearing an 8 year old
Load More Replies... #9
A Father And Son Fooling Around While Getting Their Pictures Taken, 1910
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
I’m glad to see a parent and child having fun together.
Victorian fashion? Now that was a commitment. Picture this: layers upon layers, corsets tighter than a pickle jar lid, and skirts big enough to knock over furniture. Women wore full skirts, bustles, bonnets, and so many petticoats it’s a wonder they could sit down. Getting dressed was practically a workout. And for the upper class, it wasn’t just about looking nice, it was about showing your status loud and clear. You didn’t just dress up, you dressed to impress the whole block.
#10
Just A Lady And Her Feathered Friend
Helena 1 month ago
Mrs Millsons super intense story hour? Come for the horror stay for the dread
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SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
The thing in her hair looks like some little animal.
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#11
Allene Is Delighted With The Recent Arrival Of Her Brother In 1910
Daria 1 month ago
i just had a thought: are girls given dolls as toys primarily to prepare them for being nannies/baby sitters for their future siblings? or are we supposed to just like dolls more?
Helena 1 month ago
Short answer, yes. Dolls were so girls could mimic their mothers in their own care and care of their siblings so they could be mini moms and help raise giant broods of children to work for the family. It is long term systemic parentification of kids. Didnt like dolls as a kid, not a giant fan now.
Load More Replies... #12
Elegance On The Longchamp Racecourse In 1905. Paris
Blue Bunny of Happiness 1 month ago
If she was an influencer today, we’d be accusing her of photoshopping her waist!
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Helena 1 month ago
She's a walking skeleton, and that top to her dress is really playing into that.
Nicole Weymann 1 month ago
The folds on the upper half of the dress do give it a ribcage-y kinda look.
Load More Replies... PenguinEmp 1 month ago
I think she's got a black hole in there and this was taken a moment before she imploded
Materials in the Victorian era weren’t chosen lightly either. Silk, velvet, and satin were all the rage, especially in deep, rich colors like emerald, navy, and burgundy. These fabrics were often decorated with fancy lace and embroidery that screamed luxury. But not everyone got to wear the good stuff. Middle-class and working women wore simpler cotton or wool, though still layered and heavy. Even those simpler dresses had corsets tucked underneath. Comfort wasn’t exactly the priority.
#13
Daguerreotype Of A Beautiful Lady Holding A Book, 1850s
️Rando Panda 1 month ago
It looks like she is using her index finger to hold her place in the book. I think once the photo was taken, she went back to reading.
#14
A Cabinet Card Of Men Dressed As Women.. Maybe A Play? They Look Fabulous Nonetheless!
#15
Group Of Women Dressed In 3 Piece Suits With Different Styles....like Best The One In The Right Is The Best Fit And Looks Like Something She Asked Either To Be Done To Fit Or Bespoke For Her. Circa 1896
Jan Rosier 1 month ago
Ok, English is not my native language. But I dare anyone to make sense of the captation...
Janissary35680 1 month ago
The caption writer is clumsily saying that the suit worn by the person at the right looks like it was custom-tailored for her while the other three suits don't fit very well and were likely cobbled together.
Load More Replies... Now fast-forward to the Edwardian era, where things got a little breezier, literally. Women’s fashion went through a major glow-up, trading heavy skirts for lighter, more flowy styles. The famous S-shaped silhouette was in, thanks to corsets that pushed the chest forward and the hips back. Sure, it still wasn’t yoga-pants level comfy, but it was a step in the right direction. And it gave women a more graceful, gliding kind of look. Think elegant swan, not armored cupcake.
#16
1910's Titanic Era Edwardian Evening Gown
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
That looks very Downton Abbey, and I would love to wear it.
#17
Cat And Dog Meat Seller London 1890s
Jane 1 month ago
Is the meat FOR cats and dogs, or is it meat OF cats and dogs. I'm hoping for the former!
Peter Bear 1 month ago
For. In this time period, rats and mice were a serious problem in cities, so having cats around (especially stray cats) was seen as a very good thing. Thus, an industry formed to provide food for these stray cats and dogs, so that they would stay in those areas and keep the rodent population down.
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Lila Allen 1 month ago
They seem to be begging while being winningly cute. So maybe goods exchanged for cuteness
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Uncle Schmickle 3 weeks ago
Great historic photo, but as Jane ( below ) stated, it leaves one in a quandary ..... ?
#18
Lucy Chandler Powell, Beloved Teacher
Fabrics in Edwardian times were light, soft, and just a little dreamy. Lace, chiffon, and tulle made frequent appearances, and pastels or white were the go-to shades. Everything looked romantic, delicate, and picture-perfect, like something out of a vintage postcard. People weren’t just dressing for warmth or formality anymore. There was an artistic flair to how they presented themselves. It was as if the world was turning into one big tea party, and everyone got an invite.
#19
The Dress Worn By Queen Marie Of Romania At The Coronation Of Her Cousin, Tsar Nicholas II Of Russia, In 1896
Marlene Ricker 3 weeks ago
These beautiful dresses make the ridiculous see through dresses being worn today look even more ridiculous!
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
I love it! Was she the Marie of Romania in the poem by Dorothy Parker?
#20
Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) With Her Younger Brother David (1904)
#21
Mother With Children, Around 1900
Multa Nocte 1 month ago
These two little girls were German sisters and were featured in LOTS of photos. Can't remember the older one's name - Greta something.
Susan Raskin 3 weeks ago
What a fantasy. Only with live-in nannies, a cook, live-in maid. It is however, a beautiful photograph.
So how do you tell Edwardian and Victorian fashion apart? Easy. If it looks like it took 45 minutes to get dressed, it’s Victorian. If it looks like it took 30, it’s Edwardian. Jokes aside, Victorian styles were more structured and covered, while Edwardian looks had more movement and softness. That shift says a lot about how people were starting to change, not just in clothing, but in attitude. Fashion mirrored life, and life was beginning to open up.
#22
Amazing Architecture. Glasgow, Scotland. C1900
#23
London, C. 1890-91. Silk Damask, Satin, Mousseline, Taffeta, Beads & Pearls
Susan Reid Smith 1 month ago
And the shaping of the other parts that help the waist look smaller.
Load More Replies... #24
A Girl And Her Sheep, 1880s Or 1890s
PenguinEmp 1 month ago (edited)
No because Mary had a little lamb. This is a sheep. This would be little bo peep. Lambs are sheep under a year. This is definitely not a young sheep
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The Edwardian era also marked a huge cultural transition. It was goodbye horse-and-carriage, hello motor cars and electric lights. Things moved faster, literally and figuratively. Society started letting go of some old restrictions, and people began to express themselves more freely. Clothes reflected this energy. Outfits were still elegant but far more flexible for day-to-day living. It was like the world was catching its breath before a big leap into modernity.
#25
One Of The Most Famous Women Of The Belle Epoque, Consuelo Vanderbilt In 1902
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
It’s probably cotton pads that they wound the hair around to produce that look.
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1913
#27
Broadway Actress Hazel Harroun, 1900s
What’s really fun about looking at these photos today is seeing just how far we've come and how much we’ve kept. Sure, corsets are optional now, and top hats aren’t exactly trending, but the creativity and personality in these historical styles are still inspiring.
So, which of these posts sparked your curiosity the most? Did you learn something new, or did a bonnet make you do a double take? And hey, maybe dust off that waistcoat or parasol, you never know when vintage might make a comeback!
#28
The Mourning Dress Worn By Queen Victoria After Her Grandson Prince Albert Victor Who Died In The 1892 Flu Epidemic
#29
Bespectacled Twin Sisters, Circa 1900s
Peter Bear 1 month ago
They look like they solve mysteries and debunk seances in their spare time.
#30
Lady Crofton & Sir Morgan George Crofton, 1906
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
IKR? I want to get married again so I can wear that!
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Zig Zag Wanderer 1 month ago
A horse would look silly wearing those boots...
Load More Replies... #31
Mary And Annette Houston. Lexington, Virginia, 1899
Glen Ellyn 1 month ago
I can't imagine how hard it would be to play tennis when dressed like this. 🎾
#32
Women And Children On Beach In Lorne (Australia), CA. 1900
Uncle Schmickle 3 weeks ago
That old girl isn't going to let the kids have any fun, by that look.
#33
The Vicar's Wedding, 1908
April M 1 month ago
Looks like the dude on the bottom far left wants nothing to do with the whole ordeal. 😆😆😆
alchemilla vulgaris 4 weeks ago
That's Father Jack, so it is. Must be Athlone then
Load More Replies... Lila Allen 1 month ago
I marvel at their patience. The amount of time it took them to dress every day would leave me in a bad mood daily
#34
Supposedly Paris, France, Circa 1909
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
I love the shoulders and sleeves on that dress. I could have worn a top like that with a black miniskirt to a club in the 1980s.
#35
Princess Of Wales, Later Queen Alexandra, Her Brother George L, The King Of Greece And Her Sister Tsarina Marie Of Russia. All Formerly A Prince And Princesses Of Denmark. 1887
Glen Ellyn 1 month ago
Excuse me, but the woman on the right looks like she has a hen on her hat. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
#36
Ella Harper, Born 1870 In Tennessee. She Had "Curved Knees" And Was A Circus Exhibit From Age 12. She Was Called "Camel Girl" And The "Most Wonderful Freak Of Nature." She Was Paid The Equivalent Of $6300 A Week
Panda-sized Potato 1 month ago
$6300 equivalent a week? That's more than I make busting my a$$ off.
Peter Bear 1 month ago
Her story is fascinating, and apparently she was treated quite well. Better than most girls her age, in fact, given the standards of the time.
#37
Photography Of A Mother Reading For Her Daughter To Fall Asleep, 1900
#39
Dress By Charles Frederick Worth, France, 1880s. Met Museum
#40
Mrs. Ann Thayer With Her Beautiful Fern
Corwin 02 1 month ago
It is the only plant I can keep alive so I kinda get it
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Hassel Davidhoff 1 month ago
Ferns signified that one was both cultured and appreciated nature, at the time.
#41
Selfie, Taken By This Edwardian Woman In 1900 With A Kodak Brownie Box Camera
#42
Two Students In Their Dorm Room At University Of Illinois, USA. 1910
Eggwodd 1 month ago
I guess the poster on the left is the 1910 equivalent of the Farrah Fawcett/red bathing suit poster...
Hassel Davidhoff 1 month ago
My Dad had that Farrah Fawcett poster in his garage when I was a kid.
Load More Replies... Nicole Weymann 4 weeks ago
Room mates or "just room mates" is hard to determine with a dorm room arrangement. I'm not sure women were even allowed to study back then (and where exactly they could) - let alone "innocently" putting them with male room mates.
Load More Replies... #43
Victorian Lady With Long Hair, Probably 1880s Or 1890s
#44
Inmates In A Victorian Asylum
Susan Raskin 3 weeks ago
Compassion, humanity, empathy, taking care of each other. No human should be treated way. For shame.
#45
Mrs. John Dudley; September 13, 1911
#46
Queen Maud Of Norway In 1910
#47
Large Photo Of A Family.. Kind Of Odd But That's Why I Love It.. Artsy Pose
#48
Brain Salt! Sounds Yummy! And It Even Cures Over Brainwork And Excessive Study!
Eggwodd 1 month ago
Could you imagine the warning label on the back if they had to - "may cause..."
SchadenFreudian Psychology 4 weeks ago
Not cöcaine or mörphine? Bummer, dude.
Load More Replies... #49
A Photograph Showing Lunch Being Served To School Children At Corn Exchange In Basingstoke
Nicole Weymann 1 month ago
On a whim I googled "school lunch hall eton". And "...cambridge". And "...oxford". They all look quite similar.
Load More Replies... #50
Aboriginal Child Western Australia C.1900
K- THULU 1 month ago
A truly disgusting image.... as an Australian, it make me sick to look at it.... if it's 1900, then it'll be 68 years before his people will even be recognised as a citizens in their own country
Susan Raskin 3 weeks ago
the world keps getting sicker and more viscous. We destroy each other in ways large & small.
#51
One Of My Favorite Cabinet Cards That I Have
#53
Margery Bish Hanging Dolls Clothes On A Clothesline, C. 1895. This Photo Was Taken By Her Father, The Photographer Alfred A. Bish
#54
A Lady Wearing A Muff And Velvet Coat, 1860s
#55
Stephanie Of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (Which Is Now Part Of Germany). She Married The King Of Portugal When They Were Both Twenty Years Old
#56
Danish Actress And Writer Johanne Luise Heiberg, Circa 1869
#58
Girls With Down's Syndrome At The Institution For Feeble-Minded Children, New York , 1902
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago (edited)
I have a 1911 census form in which the last column asks for each individual - if sub-normal, state whether imb3c1le, half-wit or feeble-minded. Apart from the political incorrectness, I always wondered what the difference was - I guess this explains one of them.
Jumping Jellyfishes 1 month ago
“Idiot, imb3cile, and moron” were all originally clinical terms for those with mental impairments.
Load More Replies... Susan Raskin 3 weeks ago
At least they were seeing these children as a unique group. One would hope the Institution provided these kids with some education and work skills.It wasn't perfect but it may have blieen the catalyst to study these kids and gain an understanding their patterns of behavior/movements/vocalizations etc. One can theoretically say that these early observations may have been of interest to scientists and medical rearchers.
#60
A Victorian Era Woman Of Color. Isn’t She Lovely
Peter Bear 1 month ago
Always good to be reminded that we're all people of color, and that color is always brown. The only difference is what shade of it we are.
#61
Ashby And His Sister Bessie Take A Drive In Rural Virginia, About 1910
Lady Eowyn 4 weeks ago
What the hell is on that horse's head! It's got it's ears pinned, it's not happy.
Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 weeks ago
Its ears aren't pinned, the horse moved its head during the picture and caused a double exposure.
Load More Replies... #62
Helga Frankenfeldt, 1870s. She Was A Very Famous Swedish Actress
#63
Victorian Couple Knitting Alone, Circa 1890
Hugo 1 month ago
They're not knitting. She's winding a ball from the skein of wool he's holding for her.
Limey 3 weeks ago
And somebody took the photograph so they aren’t alone either
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#65
France, 1880-1885
#66
These Are Two Little Victorian Tape Measures A Rabbit And A Punch And Judy Musical Box
#67
My Authentic Dress From 1895 In Jardines De Piquio (Santander, Spain)
#68
This Is A Recent Little Find, A 1900 Mirror With Painted On Glass Tree And A Lady Sitting Under It On Bevelled Glass
#70
Silk And Lace Afternoon Dress, 1910-1913. Augusta Auctions
#71
Abolitionist Maria Weston Chapman, Circa 1846
#72
Margate Beach, 1914: Just Either Side Of The Outbreak Of World War 1 (28th July 1914)
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago (edited)
"Either side"?? No, just *before*. It can't be either side unless there are two photos. Also, 1914 is after the Edwardian era - George V took the throne in 1910.
#73
Although The Box Is Very Tatty, I Love This Little Victorian / Edwardian Silk Infants Bonnet
#74
An Austrian Dinner Dress By House Of Drecoll, 1912-1913. Met Museum
#75
Ashton House Women's Lodging House, Corporation Street (East Side), Manchester, Interior View, In 1913
#77
Tintype Of An Unknown Young Girl.. The Damage Makes Her Look Like A Porcelain Doll With Cracks.. I Love It
#78
“Flying Bat Women” By Austrian Illustrator Robert Loew Featured In The Viennese Satirical Magazine “Die Muskete”, 1913
#79
Daguerreotype Of A Loving Couple, 1850s Or 1860s
#81
Girls With Their Dolls, Hays Landing, PA., Circa 1900. Original Glass Negative
Uncle Schmickle 3 weeks ago
Such wonderful detail and clarity in this photo. Glass negatives were terrific.
#82
Large Family Photo
Winter 3 weeks ago
Or grown up and sitting (standing) in the front of the group?
Load More Replies... #83
A Lady In Edwardian Era Fashion, C.1900-1910
#85
Cabinet Card With No Info. I Wonder If They Took After Their Mother Or Father
#86
Dinner Dress, 1880-1882. Met Museum
#87
Reception Dress, 1891-92. Cincinnati Art Museum
#88
Elizabeth Robbins Cornwell, Delaware, Early 1860s
#90
I Found This Photo At Goodwill.. Most Of The Teenage Girls Are Holding A Doll Or Teddy Bear And A Few Biting Their Fingers
#91
A Young Couple Poses For Their Wedding Photograph On The Nebraska Prairie In 1889. (Library Of Congress)
#93
Victorian Inkwell Along With A Pair Of Little Mirrors Spelter
#94
A Pair Of Victorian Blackamoor Oil Lamps With Cranberry Glass And Original Funnels
#95
Felled Sequoia Tree "Mark Twain". 100 M, 1,300 Years Old. USA, 1892
Gabriele English 4 days ago
Yeah, what would make you think cutting a tree in 1892, instead of using your fu..c..k..i...g solar panels and wind turbines to heat or build your home...ffs
#96
Another View Of The Toddler In Pajamas And A Nurse's Bonnet, North Mankato, Minnesota, Early 1900s Colorized Glass Negative Photo
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What do you think ?
Helena 1 month ago
All this does is remind me of the impermanence of everything and how silly it is to strive for superiority over fads. And in the end, everything is a fad. So do what you want if you aren't harming anyone and just admire the persons weird next to you, so long as they aren't hurting anyone. Help your neighbors, help strangers in another continent. We are only here for a little while, we are only ever going to be here with the people who live while we do, might as well all enjoy the ride on this giant mudball whizzing through space.
Peter Bear 1 month ago
Someone whose name escapes me at the moment once famously said 'love your neighbor as yourself'. This is really, really good advice, I wish I could remember the guy's name...
Load More Replies... Catherine Hutt 2 weeks ago
My grandmother was born in 1898, and it’s wonderful to see how she and her family would have dressed! I have a beautiful photo of her and my grandfather “spooning” on the front steps of her home, before they were married.
Helena 1 month ago
All this does is remind me of the impermanence of everything and how silly it is to strive for superiority over fads. And in the end, everything is a fad. So do what you want if you aren't harming anyone and just admire the persons weird next to you, so long as they aren't hurting anyone. Help your neighbors, help strangers in another continent. We are only here for a little while, we are only ever going to be here with the people who live while we do, might as well all enjoy the ride on this giant mudball whizzing through space.
Peter Bear 1 month ago
Someone whose name escapes me at the moment once famously said 'love your neighbor as yourself'. This is really, really good advice, I wish I could remember the guy's name...
Load More Replies... Catherine Hutt 2 weeks ago
My grandmother was born in 1898, and it’s wonderful to see how she and her family would have dressed! I have a beautiful photo of her and my grandfather “spooning” on the front steps of her home, before they were married.
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