Victorian fashions in the 19th early 20th century. Puffed sleeves over Empire waists were the order of the day. : r TheWayWeWere Womens Fashions Of The Early 19th Century High Waisted Dress Shawl Short Jacket High Res Vector Graphic Getty Images 19th Century Clothing Styles In England SewGuide Dress American The Metropolitan Museum of Art In the mid 19th century, women's fashion was defined by an era of dramatic silhouettes and romantic Victorian ideals. This period saw the peak of the bell shaped silhouette, made possible by the invention