According to some historians, it was at this time when the concept of fashion, as it is known today, was established (others date it much earlier). Prior to this point, clothes as a means of self … See more

Overview
Women's clothing styles maintained an emphasis on the conical shape of the torso while the shape of the skirts changed throughout the period. The wide panniers (holding the skirts out at the side) for the most part … See more

Working-class people in 18th-century England and the United States often wore the same garments as fashionable people: shirts, waistcoats, … See more

As the radicals and Jacobins became more powerful, there was a revulsion against high-fashion because of its extravagance and its association with royalty and See more

Overview
Throughout the period, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches. However, changes … See more

In the late 18th century, new philosophies of child-rearing led to clothes that were thought especially suitable for children. Toddlers wore … See more

These two images provide 1790s views of the development of fashion during the 18th century (click on images for more information): See more