The evolution of the ball gown
Every woman knows the conundrum that ensues upon receiving an invite with an “evening wear” dress code. Though straightforward in its basic definition, there are surprisingly complex expectations related to appropriateness of fashionable dress for evening. Is it a floor-length type of occasion? How strict is the dress code?
Regardless of the era, evening dresses have been intricately connected to fashion of the each era, with specific characteristics that distinguishes it from an everyday dress. An evening gown is a special form of dress that amplifies a woman's femininity and often proclaims her desirability. However, that’s where the rules end.
The original ball gown is thought to have materialised in the mid-1820s uncoincidently in the era of romanticism movement in literature (think Pride and Prejudice). Women viewed fashion plates with captions from “morning dress” and “day dress” to “promenade dress”, and “ball dress”. From these labels, it seems the evening dress was born.
Here’s a brief history in pictures of how it evolved from here, usually characterised by the nightlife and dance moves of the time. Scroll through the gallery for images.
1820s
Women found themselves a key aspect of social society. Dresses were long, delicate and lightweight. They usually featured feminine and pale colours with a diaphanous over-skirt that could be lifted for certain dance moves.
1850s
Dresses suddenly ballooned outward, boasting an under and over skirt combination. The traditions of courtship and the debutante ball were in full swing and women were decorated as such. Frilled and laced skirts were worn over starched petticoats, and after around 1856 they would have been worn over a rather constricting, wired hoop.
1900s
This is the period of the Gibson girl. The fashions are shaped by the introduction of a new corset which created an S bend to the figure. Skirts are trumpet shaped and flow softly over the hips, flaring at the hem, often with short trains.
1920s
The 1920s was a decade filled with all-night partying! Jazz music exploded and people danced the night away in clubs. This meant shorter hem lines and box like silhouettes.
1950s
We have arrived at the era of swing dancing. Dresses became shorter still, less “gown like” and more like layers of tulle and sung, with princess cut bodices. The floor-length still existed however, in a similar shape.
1980s
We’ve reach the era of the puffy sleeve. The 1980s was the year women desired to fuse themselves into a predominantly male corporate arena. This high-achieving mindset led way to a generation of “power dressing” aesthetics found its way into evening styles. As did gordy colour and outrageous prints, aimed at disturbing the evening gowns traditional heritage.
2000s
The evening gown of the time has returned closer to its original heritage, yet it’s been through so much we don’t seem to find much of a use for it anymore sans wedding dresses and awards nights.
Related links:
100 years of wedding dress styles in three-minute video
The most popular perfumes that defined a decade
How the ideal female body shape has change over the years