Empire style in clothes appeared in the late 18th century. To be more precise, the time frame in which this style existed refers to the period from the 1790s to the 1820s. Sometimes called simply the empire of the French om-peer, this style involves a woman’s dress silhouette, in which the waist rises significantly above the natural level, and the skirt is usually thin and columnar. The article will talk about clothing models of the First Empire of France.
Napoleon's influence on fashion
The history of European fashion is connected with events in France of the late 18th century. During the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, the empire style in clothes of the 19th century is born, and with its defeat, this trend sets in fashion.
Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804. He sought to make France a fashion leader and innovator in design and craftsmanship. During the French Revolution, the textile industry was hit hard, but it revitalized the Valenciennes lace industry so that delicate fabrics such as tulle and cambric could be created there.
In order for women to buy more material, Bonaparte forbade them to wear the same dress, thereby forcing them to often sew new outfits. He forbade the use of fireplaces in the Tuileries so that ladies would wear more clothes. Bonaparte followed a long tradition of promoting the French economy through fashion.
Empress Josephine was a great fashion leader and perfect model. She became the main trendsetter of the new style. Being an ardent admirer of the culture of Antiquity, she loved the Roman women's dresses. The tailor and fashion designer Leroy, popular in those years, sewed several dresses commissioned by Josephine. These were light, romantic and feminine dresses. They became the founders of the new style.
Empire Features
Along with the developing style in France, empire in clothing in Europe has gained popularity romanticism. But there was another country whose women supported the French fashion - the Russian Empire. If you recall the film "War and Peace" and the ball scene in the Rostovs' house, there will be no doubt about the style in women's clothing. In Russia, wealthy women of fashion wrote dresses for themselves from Paris, and provincial women - noblemen and merchants - sewed custom-made dresses from not very expensive fabrics.
The style was based on the Roman tradition of tailoring: a loose silhouette and cut dress, which resembled a Roman tunic, gathered in folds. Accessories have appeared, such as narrow scarves. If there were sleeves, they were also narrow. The high waist testified to the borrowing from Roman fashion in clothes.
It is worth adding the fact that at the beginning of the appearance in France of the Empire style in women's clothing, a tendency to nakedness arose. What was it like? In empire models, a significant part of the back or chest was revealed, thereby showing the natural beauty and attractiveness of the female figure. Hands were bare to the shoulders or covered with small gloves in the form of flashlights. The only thing that was hidden were the legs. However, thanks to the dress sewn from light muslin, cambric, and muslin, the figure of a woman was like a marble statue. According to fashion historians, the impression of a woman’s costume was described as sophisticated simplicity.
Types of Empire-style dresses
For a short period of time, from the appearance of the empire style in clothes and until its transformation into Gothic, women wore various types of dresses.
Let us dwell on a few:
- Dress tunic. This is a type of evening gown consisting of a straight dress and worn over a tunic. It could have a different look: with folds, cuts, fasteners.
- Dress-frock. In it, the bodice and skirt were sewn together. Variations of the bodice cut differed: simplicity, with decorations, a bodice à l'enfant (for children), a heart, V-shaped or square.
- Dress like a mantle or evening dress with a train.
Women's dress transformation
It is worth noting that already in 1810 in France and Russia women's dresses began to be sewn from dense fabrics. This is brocade and velvet. Plumes go out of fashion, and skirts take the form of a narrow bell. Embroidery of antique patterns becomes decoration of dresses. Complementing the outfit are long husky gloves, Indian cashmere shawls or fur or feather boas.
On top of the woman’s dress, they put on Spencer jackets, which are comfortable for horseback riding. Monochrome still remains, but dresses already cease to be exclusively white, which was originally clothing in the Empire style. In the photo above, a portrait of Princess Dolgoruky (1811). She is wearing a velvet dress with a light shawl.
Men's clothing in the early 19th century
Entering the nineteenth century, men's fashion has also changed. During the rule of the Empire style, men's suits are sewn of woolen fabrics. The court parade costumes remain velvet. Tailcoat, sewn from plain fabric, has become a favorite clothing. In the wardrobe of men's clothing in the Empire style, there were also white shirts from a thin cambric with a starched collar, colorful vests and neckerchiefs tied to a knot or bow.
The hobby of men and women was horse riding. For this purpose, clothes were sewn - a redingote, which over time turned into a frock coat, which firmly entered the men's wardrobe.
Knickers were ankle-length and held on suspenders. Their color was lighter than a tailcoat and frock coat. But not all men dressed in accordance with this style. Many at the beginning of the 19th century wore a military uniform, like Bonaparte Napoleon himself.
Modern clothes
Empire as a fashionable direction did not last long, but this was enough for the well-forgotten old to appear in the clothes of our contemporaries. Fashion is making another round, and this time by the time of Napoleon's reign. A design feature of the Empire style in modern clothing is the same as in the 18-19 centuries, a high waist, which is emphasized by a decorative insert, cord or ribbon. Femininity and romance, attractiveness and some special charm bears the Empire style in a modern interpretation. The fabrics that are used for sewing women's dresses have calm colors. It is mainly chiffon, silk, cotton.
Versatility in modern fashion
Modern clothing in the Empire style is more modest than historical dresses of the time of Napoleon. Its main advantage is its versatility. But what is the appeal of the Empire style in clothing of the 20th century? Most likely, in its comfort, harmony, practicality and functionality. Modern designers are happy to experiment with the theme of style of Napoleonic times.
Clothing of this fashionable direction participates in modern shows, proving the ability to combine seemingly incompatible elements of the outfit. An example of this is a business-style dress for office workers. A feature of the office attire will be harmony in all details: fabric, color, dress length.
The presence in the wardrobe of an empire dress is an indicator not only of good taste, but also of practical ingenuity, because the basis of empire refinement is lightness, naturalness, simplicity and convenience. Another significant plus of such outfits is self-sufficiency, which does not require additional jewelry and accessories. This is one of those few cases when, having put on only one dress, you are already completely ready to go out. Empire style is a phenomenal style, which, through tenderness, touching and fragility, gives a woman omnipotence!
Diverse styles are offered by designers in everyday modern clothes in the Empire style. Photos of sundresses, tops, dresses and shirts, which are almost out of fashion, are present on the pages of various fashion magazines.
The length of the dresses varies from popular among young people short in the style of Baby-doll to the classic maxi.
A social party or a festive event - those places where a woman in an empire style dress will look like a real goddess. Options for wedding dresses a la Natasha Rostov are currently in much greater demand than the magnificent outfit of Cinderella.
If we talk about shoes as one of the main accessories of any outfit, there are no problems with the choice. Shoes, whatever they are, are hidden under the hem of a long skirt. It can be high heels (both a hairpin and a platform), and a low sole, and even sandals as a tribute to antique fashion.
Who is the fashion of the times of Napoleon?
This unique style of women's clothing with a loose cut and high waist suits almost any woman. Slender such outfits give femininity, and low ones seem higher due to the high waistline. Small breasts seem visually larger due to the underlined line of the bodice.
Chubby women also have their advantages from outfits of this style. The free hem of the dress hides their excess volume, and a shortened bodice emphasizes the chest.