With the rise of the Industrial Revolution and advancements of mass production, the Victorian Era saw a drastic change in the availability of garments to choose from. No longer would the ladies of upper middle-class London be shackled to high-priced tailors and dressmakers. The production of sewing machines allowed for mass quantities of dresses to be made, in a variety of styles and a plethora of synthetic dyes gave all of these dresses their own unique flair. Department stores sold these dresses at affordable prices, something unheard of in an age of custom clothing. Fashion magazines were on the tables of everyone in high society and displayed the newest trends, the desire of any budding socialite. 

Less was required of women during this time, and many would marry and give up work entirely. Their dress became less utilitarian and more ornamental. The higher the class, the more ornamentation. The ideal features of Victorian dress were meant to produce a long torso emphasized with wide hips. Dress would start with a low shoulder neckline called a Bertha, which revealed a large span of flesh that the working class were not allowed. Corsets (while quite uncomfortable and posing health risks) were also popular. Tightening the waist to create a very slim hourglass shape was paired with a Crinoline, a cage-like undergarment that ladies wore under their dresses to produce a bell shape creating a very desirable silhouette. Often the fabric used in such dresses would also discern the wealth of the woman wearing it.   

Lookit ees eer laties wattlin' downa street like ey was a flock o'ducks. Ey can barely move in im. Fancy mums woking dis way and dat, prim and proper like. Big ol rear ends tossin right ways and left ways like a swingin bell up in a church tower. Can't quite make which end is up really, awful lotta fabric an not much woman in ere. Ey look like somefin you'd see inna parlor, maybe a couch on two legs or somefin. Ey can keep it. Iss not ees dresses I'm inristed in, iss wots in ey coin purses and wots roun ey necks. Way I sees it, the fancier the latie the richer er usband, which means mates we won't be worryin bout our next suppa. Less get in ere an make off wif whateva we can find. I've got me sights set onna one wot looks like a big blue pillow strung up wif pearls. Iss not like any ofum will beable to catch us when we lift eir goods, less ey can find a way to slip outta their knickers in the mittle ova street. Less go boys!