When is the edwardian time period

The Edwardian era was a period during which the British class system was very rigid. Economic and social changes created an environment in which there was more social mobility. These changes were to be hastened in the aftermath of World War I.

The upper classes embraced leisure sports , which resulted in rapid developments in fashion , as more mobile and flexible clothing styles were needed. During the Edwardian era, women wore a very tight corset , or bodice , and dressed in long skirts.

The Edwardian era was the last time women wore corsets in everyday life. Despite its brief pre-eminence, the period is characterised by its own unique architectural style, fashion, and lifestyle.

Art Nouveau had a particularly strong influence. Artists were influenced by the development of the automobile and electricity, and a greater awareness of human rights. In fiction, some of the best-known names are J. Barrie , Arnold Bennett , G. Chesterton , Joseph Conrad , E. Nearly always well-dressed young men, the footmen represented crisp formality and quiet grandeur on behalf of the entire estate.

A tall or particularly good-looking footman would even earn a higher salary than the other members of the household staff. However necessary the footmen and other servants may have been, they were never, however, thanked. The servants did everything for their masters, and if thanks were given, it would be necessary to say them at least sixty times a day. That would be, as the English say, tiresome.

A unique set of rules also governed a hierarchy within the servant class itself. The butler and housekeeper were at the head of this group in terms of dignity, authority and earnings. Even among one group of servants you would have minor differences. The first footman served the meat, for example, the choicest course; while the second footman served a minor sauce or side. The under cook was considered an apprentice to the chef, while the kitchen maids were only assistants.

The order in which servants sat at their own downstairs dining room table reflected this microcosm of the class system. All social interactions, formal or informal, were occasions that required a complex set of rules to govern behavior. Take a look at this list taken from instructions for giving a formal afternoon tea in —it just scratches the surface of expectations and norms for this period.

While still Prince of Wales, Edward had already got himself something of a reputation as a playboy, a bon viveur and a gambler. Even though he had married in , he continued to live the bachelor lifestyle long after he had ceased to be one, and his numerous mistresses were common knowledge among the upper classes. And he continued to live the same way after he took the throne: he surrounded himself with men who had made their fortunes in trade and finance - the "plutocracy" - and Edward led the "fast set" in the conspicuous consumption that so typifies the period.

The royal timetable seems almost completely dominated by social events: in August he would be found yachting in Cowes; in September he'd be abroad in the fashionable resorts of Germany or Austria; in October, he'd go deer hunting in Scotland; he'd spend the winter at Sandringham if not hosting shooting parties, he would be attending them.

She often wore long, elegant gowns and tight corsets that gave her an inch waist. As time went by, fashion evolved. Hemlines and necklines changed, waistlines rose, and lingerie dresses tea gowns with ruffles and lace were worn indoors.

Wide-brimmed hats with feather trimmings were also popular, as well as lace-up boots. Tailored dresses were worn for outdoor activities. Dressed then had more straight lines and less structure involved, so women can easily move.

Oriental influences were also evident, with turbans and jewelled slippers giving the exotic ingredient in Western styles. The start of the First World War effectively put an end to opulent fashion, as materials became harder to come by.

Slim and tightly fitted looks stayed popular. Men also prefer dark colours, be it for day or evening wear, although formal events still call for luxurious styling. There was, however, a huge demand for sports apparel, as interests in these activities boomed. Technological innovations and increasing awareness of societal woes also played their parts in artistic works. However, children and adults in books were often separated, as in the cases of Peter Pan J.

Barrie and Alice in Wonderland Lewis Carroll. There was also less realism involved. Music and the performing arts continued to flourish.

People flocked live performances, as cinema was still in its nascent years. Towards the end of the Victorian era, then-prince Edward and his wife Alexandra rose in status as one of the fashionable elites.

After his coronation, King Edward threw many formal events at Buckingham Palace that increased jewellery demand among the nobility but these, unfortunately, came to an abrupt end with to the onset of the First World War.

There was a lighthearted tone in Edwardian styles, including their jewellery. Many designers of this era took inspiration from 18th-century traditions, particularly the use of precious stones like diamonds and Pearls in pieces like tiaras and necklaces. Queen Alexandra was also fond of colliers de Chien or dog collars.

These were usually designed either with a ribbon and a brooch or as several pearls strung together. Interestingly, Pearls were considered more valuable than diamonds in this era as fine quality, large specimens were only available from exotic, far-away places such as Australia and off the coast of Africa and were extremely costly.

Technology made jewellery available for purchase by the general public. Although most of the pieces were luxurious and pricey, both the middle and working classes were able to buy simpler, more affordable counterparts. As such, brooches, gypsy earrings, and simple bangles became popular.

Manufacturers cut costs by using prepared gold instead of platinum. Cartier introduced the practice of using platinum for jewellery pieces during this era. Pendants in this era were created using gold alloy, Diamonds, pearls, or platinum, often worn by high society. Some of them were heavily decorated, while some sport a simpler and more delicate design.