Aesthetic dress and the dress reform movement (c. 1860–1890)

1. Bloomer costume sparks U.S. dress reform debate

   Jan 1, 1851Labels: Bloomer costume, U S

   • Britannica
   • V A

2. National Dress Reform Association is founded

   Feb 1, 1856Labels: National Dress, U S

   • NDRA
   • Kent State

3. Artistic dress spreads in British artistic circles

   Jan 1, 1860Labels: Artistic dress, Pre-Raphaelite movement

   • Artistic Dress
   • V A Aesthetic

4. NDRA dissolves as early U.S. campaign fades

   Jan 1, 1865Labels: NDRA, U S

   • NDRA
   • Dress Reform

5. Aesthetic ideals reshape arguments about women’s dress

   Jan 1, 1870Labels: Aesthetic Movement, Design reform

   • Dress Reform
   • FIDM Museum

6. Mary Eliza Haweis publishes 'The Art of Beauty'

   Jan 1, 1878Labels: Mary Eliza, The Art

   • Sisterhood
   • Open Library

7. Early “tea gowns” appear in print as at-home wear

   Jan 1, 1878Labels: Tea gown, At-home dress

   • Encyclopedia
   • 1870s Fashion

8. Haweis publishes 'The Art of Dress' for popular audiences

   Jan 1, 1879Labels: Mary Eliza, The Art

   • Open Library
   • JSTOR

9. Rational Dress Society forms in London

   Jan 1, 1881Labels: Rational Dress, London reform

   • RDS
   • Dress Reform

10. Rational Dress Society holds a major public exhibition

    Jan 1, 1883Labels: Rational Dress, Public exhibition

    • COVE
    • RDS

11. Liberty & Co. institutionalizes aesthetic dress retail

    Jan 1, 1884Labels: Liberty &, E W

    • Met Museum
    • Liberty

12. Aesthetic tea gowns popularize comfort within respectability

    Jan 1, 1885Labels: Tea gown, Aesthetic dress

    • Met Museum
    • FIDM Museum

13. Oscar Wilde publishes 'The Philosophy of Dress'

    Jan 1, 1885Labels: Oscar Wilde, The Philosophy

    • Philosophy
    • Wilde America

14. Reform goals shift toward “rational” activity and mobility

    Jan 1, 1889Labels: Rational Dress, Mobility reform

    • RDS
    • Bridgeman