Romantic fashion is clothing that conjures up thoughts of romance and femininity. In the history of fashion, the Romantic era of fashion was between 1825 and 1845. Among the several different styles, some consisted of a “v” pointed waistline, large elaborate hats and increasingly slimmer sleeves.
Today, romantic fashion typically consists of light colors, ruffles, lace and florals. The emphasis of this type of fashion is to show off the female body in a demure way.
The peak of the fashion of the Romantic era was between 1825 and 1835. The waistlines of the dresses were a few inches above the natural waistline. Embellishments and padding were added to the hem of the skirt to give it more bulk, however, by 1835 the skirts were being transitioned into more a more bell shape.
The sleeves started out as large and billowy, transformed into a sleeve that was tight on top and flowy from the elbow, then changed to a tight sleeve with extra fabric at the wrist and finally were completely tight.
While bonnets and large hats were popular during that time period, they are very rarely seen worn today. Hats were piled with embellishments such as feathers, bows and ribbons. High-set bonnets allowed for the tall hairstyles of the period.
Today’s romantic fashion tends to lean toward more dresses and flowy pants than shorts and tailored pants. The colors are pastels, such as light pink and soft yellow as opposed to blacks or browns.
Floral prints are also a big part of this style. Some of the options for type and style of fabric include chiffon, lace, velvet and eyelet. The cut of the clothing is billowy but still tends to accentuate the curves of a woman’s body.
Some of the accents that accompany romantic fashion are bows, lace, ruffles and ribbons. Ruffles may be anywhere on a piece of clothing from the entire front of a shirt or what comprises the entire body of the skirt.
They may also just accentuate sleeves or emphasize the neckline. Lace may make up the entire article of clothing or act as a highlight in a specific area, such as on the sleeves or on the front of a dress.
Romantic fashion can be worn by itself or paired with more masculine-inspired pieces. For example, a woman may wear a ruffled shirt with a suit jacket. Another option is to pair romantic style clothing with darker pieces, such as a pink floral dress with black heels.
With such a wide array of choices of clothing that have a feminine and romantic feel to them, it’s possible to put together an outfit that truly brings out an individual’s style.
Romantic Fashion icons
- Elle Fanning.
Her blonde locks and dreamy prairie-inspired dresses always get the style on point. Do use her as reference when pairing a headband with impeccable floral frocks.
- Rooney Mara
If there’s a way to pull off the romantic look with a bit of an edge, this is your girl to watch. Burgundy lips paired with impeccable white lace or an asymmetric jacket over ruffles is how she keeps it romantic but daring.
- Keira Knightley
It’s no surprise this British beauty has been in a slew of Jane Austen movie adaptations. In real life whether it’s a Valentino hand-embroidered floral gown or a Burberry puff sleeve number she’s the epitome of romance.
Looking for runway inspiration? Don’t miss Valentino, Rochas, Nina Richi and of course British designer Erdem for the dreamiest incarnations of the romantic style. Now all you need is a bit of creativity and the tips of you Personal Shopper on how to pull it off!
Modern romantic fashion is effortless, chic and beautiful. But often times it’s hard to find the right pieces to build a foundation for a sexy and soft romantic style. Lace, sheer details, gold hues and soft silhouettes all contribute to the aspects that make modern romantic fashion so entrancing.
As of recent we have seen two fairly distinct interpretations of the modern romantic trend. The first involves neutral tones, floral patterns and an overall ethereal quality. The other variation of modern romance is strikingly different; it’s more about dark tones and a sense of Gothic beauty. Both types of modern romantic fashion are absolutely beautiful and deserve a place in your wardrobe no matter what time of year it is.
For a light and bright romantic look go for a chiffon dress with a muted floral pattern. Style you hair in beachy waves and consider accessories that have natural touches like a navel length feather pendent. This look is soft and sweet making it perfect for a romantic picnic or just walking on a beautiful spring day.
If you find you favor the dark dramatic take on romantic fashion think of pairing a pleated black maxi skirt with a shimmery, silky maroon top. The colors in this look are rich and lux while the textures still convey a sense of innocence and romance.
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