The world’s history is incredibly vast, filled with eras, revolutions, cultures, and change. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re swimming in a sea of information with no idea where to start. But every now and then, it’s refreshing to slow down and take a peek into just one time period. A focused look into the past can reveal just how rich, beautiful, and even relatable it truly was That’s why we’re so drawn to the Facebook group “Everything Victorian & Edwardian.” With nearly 500,000 followers, it’s clear that many people love getting a glimpse into the charm and complexity of that era. It’s not just about lace dresses and antique furniture, it’s about seeing the past with fresh eyes. Keep scrolling and discover the timeless beauty and occasional surprise of a world long gone.
#1 Ball Gown By The Design House: House Of Worth (French, 1858–1956) Silk, Cotton, Metallic Thread, Glass, Metal
Image credits: everythingvictorian
#2 Photograph Of An Unknown Young Woman Smiling, By Carlos Relvas, Circa 1880
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#3 Apparently Nobody Told This 1880s Baby He Wasn't Supposed To Smile For His Picture! Seriously, This Is One Of The Best Baby Pictures I Have Ever Seen
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The Victorian era lasted a whopping 63 years, from 1837 to 1901, when Queen Victoria ruled over Great Britain and Ireland. It was an age of steam trains, gas lamps, and letters that took days to arrive. Then came the Edwardian era, which kicked off in 1901 when King Edward VII took the throne. It didn’t last long, just until 1910, but it packed in a lot of change.
#4 Four Generations, CA. 1905
Image credits: SerlondeSavigny
#5 Evening Dress Of Queen Victoria Of Sweden, 1906. From The Royal Armory And Hallwyl Museum
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#6 Mother And Daughter, 1880s
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The Edwardian and Victorian eras were both fascinating chapters in history, but they also couldn’t be more different. One was all about structure and seriousness, while the other started leaning into freedom and flair. These changes didn’t just happen overnight, they were shaped by big shifts in technology, travel, and how people saw the world. And nothing captures those changes better than the clothes people wore. Every ruffle and ribbon told a little story about what mattered at the time.
#7 Allene Is Delighted With The Recent Arrival Of Her Brother In 1910
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#8 Les Modes, At The Races - 1910
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#9 Just A Lady And Her Feathered Friend
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Victorian fashion? Now that was a commitment. Picture this: layers upon layers, corsets tighter than a pickle jar lid, and skirts big enough to knock over furniture. Women wore full skirts, bustles, bonnets, and so many petticoats it’s a wonder they could sit down. Getting dressed was practically a workout. And for the upper class, it wasn’t just about looking nice, it was about showing your status loud and clear. You didn’t just dress up, you dressed to impress the whole block.
#10 Elegance On The Longchamp Racecourse In 1905. Paris
Image credits: everythingvictorian
#11 A Cabinet Card Of Men Dressed As Women.. Maybe A Play? They Look Fabulous Nonetheless!
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#12 1910's Titanic Era Edwardian Evening Gown
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Materials in the Victorian era weren’t chosen lightly either. Silk, velvet, and satin were all the rage, especially in deep, rich colors like emerald, navy, and burgundy. These fabrics were often decorated with fancy lace and embroidery that screamed luxury. But not everyone got to wear the good stuff. Middle-class and working women wore simpler cotton or wool, though still layered and heavy. Even those simpler dresses had corsets tucked underneath. Comfort wasn’t exactly the priority.
#13 Cat And Dog Meat Seller London 1890s
Image credits: everythingvictorian
#14 Lucy Chandler Powell, Beloved Teacher
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#15 London, C. 1890-91. Silk Damask, Satin, Mousseline, Taffeta, Beads & Pearls
Image credits: everythingvictorian
Now fast-forward to the Edwardian era, where things got a little breezier, literally. Women’s fashion went through a major glow-up, trading heavy skirts for lighter, more flowy styles. The famous S-shaped silhouette was in, thanks to corsets that pushed the chest forward and the hips back. Sure, it still wasn’t yoga-pants level comfy, but it was a step in the right direction. And it gave women a more graceful, gliding kind of look. Think elegant swan, not armored cupcake.
#16 Mother And Daughter Watching A Tall Ship On The River Thames In London Around 1880. Absent But Dear
Image credits: everythingvictorian
#17 A Father And Son Fooling Around While Getting Their Pictures Taken, 1910
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#18 The Mourning Dress Worn By Queen Victoria After Her Grandson Prince Albert Victor Who Died In The 1892 Flu Epidemic
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Fabrics in Edwardian times were light, soft, and just a little dreamy. Lace, chiffon, and tulle made frequent appearances, and pastels or white were the go-to shades. Everything looked romantic, delicate, and picture-perfect, like something out of a vintage postcard. People weren’t just dressing for warmth or formality anymore. There was an artistic flair to how they presented themselves. It was as if the world was turning into one big tea party, and everyone got an invite.
#19 The Dress Worn By Queen Marie Of Romania At The Coronation Of Her Cousin, Tsar Nicholas II Of Russia, In 1896
Image credits: everythingvictorian
#20 A Girl And Her Sheep, 1880s Or 1890s
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#21 Supposedly Paris, France, Circa 1909
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So how do you tell Edwardian and Victorian fashion apart? Easy. If it looks like it took 45 minutes to get dressed, it’s Victorian. If it looks like it took 30, it’s Edwardian. Jokes aside, Victorian styles were more structured and covered, while Edwardian looks had more movement and softness. That shift says a lot about how people were starting to change, not just in clothing, but in attitude. Fashion mirrored life, and life was beginning to open up.
#22 Daguerreotype Of A Beautiful Lady Holding A Book, 1850s
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#23 Bespectacled Twin Sisters, Circa 1900s
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#24 Lady Crofton & Sir Morgan George Crofton, 1906
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The Edwardian era also marked a huge cultural transition. It was goodbye horse-and-carriage, hello motor cars and electric lights. Things moved faster, literally and figuratively. Society started letting go of some old restrictions, and people began to express themselves more freely. Clothes reflected this energy. Outfits were still elegant but far more flexible for day-to-day living. It was like the world was catching its breath before a big leap into modernity.
#25 Women And Children On Beach In Lorne (Australia), CA. 1900
Image credits: everythingvictorian
#26 One Of The Most Famous Women Of The Belle Epoque, Consuelo Vanderbilt In 1902
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#27 The Vicar's Wedding, 1908
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What’s really fun about looking at these photos today is seeing just how far we've come and how much we’ve kept. Sure, corsets are optional now, and top hats aren’t exactly trending, but the creativity and personality in these historical styles are still inspiring.
So, which of these posts sparked your curiosity the most? Did you learn something new, or did a bonnet make you do a double take? And hey, maybe dust off that waistcoat or parasol, you never know when vintage might make a comeback!
#28 Group Of Women Dressed In 3 Piece Suits With Different Styles....like Best The One In The Right Is The Best Fit And Looks Like Something She Asked Either To Be Done To Fit Or Bespoke For Her. Circa 1896
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
#29 Broadway Actress Hazel Harroun, 1900s
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#30 Mary And Annette Houston. Lexington, Virginia, 1899
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#31 Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) With Her Younger Brother David (1904)
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#32 Mother With Children, Around 1900
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#33 1913
Image credits: Tammy Townsend Coyle Callahan
#34 Amazing Architecture. Glasgow, Scotland. C1900
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#35 Princess Of Wales, Later Queen Alexandra, Her Brother George L, The King Of Greece And Her Sister Tsarina Marie Of Russia. All Formerly A Prince And Princesses Of Denmark. 1887
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#36 Dress By Charles Frederick Worth, France, 1880s. Met Museum
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#37 Selfie, Taken By This Edwardian Woman In 1900 With A Kodak Brownie Box Camera
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#38 Ella Harper, Born 1870 In Tennessee. She Had "Curved Knees" And Was A Circus Exhibit From Age 12. She Was Called "Camel Girl" And The "Most Wonderful Freak Of Nature." She Was Paid The Equivalent Of $6300 A Week
Image credits: kittykitkitty
#39 Two Students In Their Dorm Room At University Of Illinois, USA. 1910
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#40 Mrs. Ann Thayer With Her Beautiful Fern
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#41 Victorian Lady With Long Hair, Probably 1880s Or 1890s
Image credits: Lindsay Mccord
#42 Mrs. John Dudley; September 13, 1911
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#43 Inmates In A Victorian Asylum
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#44 A Photograph Showing Lunch Being Served To School Children At Corn Exchange In Basingstoke
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#45 Photography Of A Mother Reading For Her Daughter To Fall Asleep, 1900
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#46 An Elegant Couple At The Races, In France In The 1900s
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#47 Queen Maud Of Norway In 1910
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#48 Large Photo Of A Family.. Kind Of Odd But That's Why I Love It.. Artsy Pose
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#49 Aboriginal Child Western Australia C.1900
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#50 Brain Salt! Sounds Yummy! And It Even Cures Over Brainwork And Excessive Study!
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