FASHION & JEWELLERY FEATURES
Dating Clothes & Photographs
This is a resource to help you date your antique clothing or old photographs. The pages have been divided into decades and use objects from the V&A's collection to illustrate the main trends of the day. Using these objects as pointers, you will be able to recognise aspects of your dress or photograph that will help you to date it to the nearest decade or half-decade.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1840s
1840s fashion for women was dominated by voluminous skirts, low pointed bodices, and sloping shoulders. Fashionable men wore frock-coats, with tight trousers and waistcoats cinched at the waist.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1850s
The 1850s were characterised by women's bell-shaped skirts, supported by round crinoline petticoats. Deep bonnets were popular and hair was swept into buns or side coils from a centre parting. Men wore matching coats and suits, and sported large mutton chop side-burns and moustaches, after the style set by Prince Albert.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1860s
1860s women's dress featured voluminous skirts with tight bodices and lace collars and cuffs. Sloping shoulders flared out into wide sleeves. It was fashionable for men's coats and jackets to be single-breasted and semi-fitted, extending to the mid thigh.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1870s
In the 1870s, voluminous skirts were gathered up into bustles, decorated with flounces and rosettes. The bodice was elongated and tight, with a low neckline. Men's coats and jackets were thigh-length and semi-fitted, worn with tall, starched collars.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1880s
During the mid 1880s the bustle was so pronounced that fashionable skirts extended horizontally from the small of the back. Hair was worn piled on top of the head in tight curls. Men's suits were quite slim, with high buttoning waistcoats and high, stiff collars turned over at the tips.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1890s
Women wore tight bodices with high collars and narrow sleeves, and from around 1893 the leg-of-mutton sleeve became increasingly fashionable. For men, lounge suits were popular. Frock coats were still worn, but generally by older men.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1900s
During the 1900s, women wore skirts that were fitted at the hip and fluted towards the hem, with pouter-pigeon shaped bodices. Hats were distinctively wide brimmed and heavily decorated with flowers or feathers. Men now commonly wore three-piece lounge suits with boater or bowler hat, or cloth caps.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1910s
During the 1910s frilly, puffed blouses and long fluted skirts were popular, as were tunic style tops and jackets. Skirts were A-line or 'hobble' (tight at the ankle) styles . Men commonly wore lounge suits, but from 1914 to the end of the decade, many were photographed in military uniform.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1920s
In the 1920s fashionable young women wore straight, tubular dresses to knee-level. Hair was worn bobbed, often with a distinctive tight-fitting cloche hat. Men wore slim lounge suits, with high, starched collars and modern knot ties.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1930s
During the 1930s fashionable women wore skirt suits or day dresses accessorised with hats and fur stoles. Evening dresses were cut on the bias to cling to the body, and trimmings were kept to a minimum. Casual dress was popular for men, including knitted cardigans and tank-tops and clothing inspired by sportswear.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1940s
As a result of the war there were fabric shortages which lasted throughout the decade. For women, skirts were below the knee and straight, whilst tops were boxy with broad shoulders. Many men and women wore uniforms. After 1947, fashions changed radically for women, when very full, long skirts became fashionable.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1950s
The 1950s continued the late 1940s style, with very full skirts, cinched waists and sloping shoulders. Another popular silhouette was the narrow pencil-skirt look. Men's fashion still revolved around the suit, though often worn with knitted cardigans or vest-tops. Teenage fashions emerged during the 1950s.
-
Dating Clothes & Photographs from the 1960s
In the 1960s, fashionable young women wore mini-skirts or mini-dresses, often cut in a simple A-line. They emphasised their eyes with pale foundation and heavy kohl eyeliner. Young men wore more colourful clothing than previously, including printed shirts. Lapels and trouser legs were exaggerated, and bell-bottom jeans were fashionable.