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? asked in Arts & HumanitiesHistory · 1 decade ago

In the 1800s, how the the clothes of the working class differ from the bourgeoisie?

I'm making myself a costume, 1820s-1830s era, and I'm trying to get more of a "working class" look. Would a working class girl of the time have dressed much differently from a middle class girl, and if so, what would be the main differences?

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The dresses of working class girls of c. 1820's-30's would have been cut fairly similarly to those of middle-class girls, but with less frills and ornament and made of sturdier fabric in more somber colors. The hem might have been a little shorter for practicality. Working class girls would also have worn sturdier shoes, simpler hairstyles and bonnets, and fewer fussy accessories.

    The ideal pattern for you is this:

    The Lowell Mill Girl's Dress, taken from a dress worn by an actual Lowell mill girl:

    http://www.sewingcentral.com/cgi-bin/Web_store/web...

    Source(s): Me, clothing historian
  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Working Class Clothes

  • ?
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    The richer, or ruling class, normally had more clothes on. The poor people had less.

    Thus it is simple, like today, the MOREONS are normally in charge.

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