No other clothing in history has undergone the kind of transformation and changes as Ladies Fashion clothing. Ladies wear previously comprised of heavy gowns in the most elaborate of styles, those which were worn during the Victorian era. The English were in fact credited for many of the fashion changes that were seen in this segment. They were the ones who made it mandatory to wear corsets with every outfit, mainly to underline the female figure. At the same time such gowns had to be worn with many petticoats, as it was considered unfashionable to show skin during those times.
As the British began to conquer other countries and sub-continents, they adapted the clothing styles to themselves and many more changes in Ladies Fashion clothing were noted. Dresses which were previously very elaborate began to get more minimalistic yet elegant. There began experimentation with different fabrics and designs. During the “40”s and “50”s, the nobility began to get fewer and were surrounded by working class people. This introduced clothing which was more practical and incorporating simplistic designs. The biggest changes were seen in female wear, where long gowns gave way to ankle length dresses with a simpler silhouette.