The Bustle Period

Bustle Period Costume

(1870-1890)

• Bustle was predominant feature of women's dress
• Wide use of sewing machines
• Technology allowed cutting of garment pieces
• Department stores provided mail order catalouges
• Undergarments provided shape for the times silhoutte
• 3 basic silhpuettes: the shelf bustle, waterfall bustle and basic bustle
• Men had tailor made 2-piece suits
• Aesthetic movement encouraged rejection of current bustle in favor of medieval look
• Art Nouveau introduced S-shaped silhouette
• Hats and walking sticks were popular accessories
• Young children also wore bustles