During those decades, the simple, classical styles of the early 1800s quickly gave way to far more elaborate fashions.
One of the most striking changes was the new shape of clothes. Instead of the simple, straight skirts of earlier years, ladies began to wear full gathered skirts, filled out with layers of petticoats. Skirts continued to be decorated with appliqué, ruffles, and lace. However, decorations were now often added to the entire skirt, rather than just the hem. The new full skirts were a little shorter than earlier styles, revealing the ankles. Dainty sandals were worn in the summer with white tights.
Half-boots were the fashion for colder months.
Bodices also changed a great deal, becoming fuller to balance the new ample skirts. Dresses featured giant puffed sleeves. For daywear, sleeves were puffed on top from shoulder to elbow, tapering to a snug fit at the wrist. Evening gowns had short sleeves, even puffier than daytime sleeves. All dresses had a waistline at the natural waist, rather than the high waist of the previous decades. Necklines were wide. Off-the-shoulder dresses became the fashion, with the neckline trimmed with lace. For dresses that weren't off-the-shoulder, the neckline was filled in with a sheer fabric decorated with tucks, ornamental buttons and ruffles.
In addition to their dramatic new shapes, dresses also featured gorgeous new colors. Pastels were still popular, but rich shades like emerald green and royal blue became the height of elegance. Luxurious fabrics matched the richness of the new colors. Silk, taffeta, and velvet were among the most fashionable fabrics. Bold prints came into style. Paisley, in rich, deep colors, gave shawls an exotic look. Florals and multicolored geometrics were also favorites.
In keeping with the new dramatic fashion, hats were big, elaborate, and rather frivolous. Trimmed with ribbons, lace, bows, feathers, and silk greenery, they topped off the ornate outfits of the time fittingly. Many of the styles shown in fashion plates of the time are rather outrageous, but in real life, somewhat more sedate headwear prevailed. Nonetheless, these confections set the tone.
The 1830s were a transition period between the simple elegance of Regency fashion and the opulent glamour of Victorian dress. The era's fashions were sometimes graceful, sometimes outrageous, but always lavish.
This dress from the 1820s shows the transition between the Regency/Empire style and the fashions of the 1830s. The color is bold. The sleeves are full, the neckline's wide, and the sleeves are puffy. But the waistline is still high.
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