An outfit consisted of many layers which meant that rich Victorian women needed help getting dressed from a maid. During the day women wore simpler dresses but might change into a smarter dress if they went out to call on friends. In the evening a lady would change for dinner, usually into a silk or satin gown. read more
Rich women wore corsets under their dresses. At the beginning of Victoria's reign it was fashionable to wear a crinoline under a skirt. These hoops and petticoats made skirts very wide. Later in the period skirts were narrower with a shape at the back called a bustle. read more