Clothes and Crafts in Victorian Times

Children's Literature

Queen Victoria ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until 1901, and often, the nineteenth century is referred to as the Victorian Age. This was a time of industrialization, new technologies, and mechanization. Although factories could mass produce goods quickly, many people felt that the quality of these items was poor. William Morris was influential in establishing an arts and crafts movement. People were interested in handmade books, samplers, and furniture. "Cozy clutter" was the style for homes and many artists looked to Asia for inspiration. Even clothing was decorative and fashion dictated what men, women and children wore. As the century progressed, women favored the "empire" line, then crinolines and corsets, followed by bustles and bows. Even the men wore the most popular styles, and those that were especially extreme were known as "dandies." As athletics became popular some brave females shocked the public by wearing baggy breeches called bloomers. Excellent photographs accompany the brief, but informative text. As part of the "Clothes and Crafts in History" series, the book includes craft ideas, a glossary and an index, making it suitable for classroom reference. 2000 (orig. 1997), Gareth Stevens, $21.27. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Laura Hummel