What the Georgians and Victorians Wore will consider historical fashion through and analysis of images, text and extant garments from the early eighteenth through the early twentieth centuries. We will consider how the bodies of both men and women were shaped to reflect not only idealised beauty but the impact of Revolution, War and Social Movements. We will also look at how these fashions are re-incorporated and referenced in the clothing we wear today.
Course aim
To gain an understanding of fashion history from the early 18th to late 19th centuries. How clothing choices reflected the political upheavals of Revolution and War, how fashion reflected idealised beauty and its cyclical nature.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- An understanding of the development of fashion from the eighteenth - early twentieth centuries.
- An understanding of how fashion reflected the trade of Empire and the impact of War, Revolution and of the social upheavals.
- An understanding of how beauty ideals are created and bodies are manipulated to conform to them.
- An understanding of the cyclical nature of fashion and how it constantly re-incorporates and re-cycles ideas and ideals.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
Download full course information sheet
