1890-1900s Reform Dress

Examples of the Reform Dress or 'Aesthetic Dress' movement. Influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, and late Victorian Pre-Raphaelites, the Aesthetic Dress Movement existed alongside and was often influenced by the desire for 'Rational Dress'. These clothes were intended to challenge existing clothing norms and were designed to be less restrictive in comparison. Often, although not always, considered to be less formal and designed to be appropriate for entertaining close friends 'at home'.