Here is what most women looked like in the Victorian Era.

Anonymous wrote:I disagree, OP. I hate all their hairstyles. The makeup is kind of good, I guess. But also it's clear these are rich ladies or not-rich ladies photographed in their "Sunday best."

There's tons of poor white trash who pull it together to look great for their Christmas cards. For all we know, these women are the PWT of their time.

Love,
A white woman

Yes, PWT in the 19th c. had the opportunity to be photographed in jewels and gowns. NOT.



PWT generally weren't photographed at all, except maybe by Jacob Riis. Your knowledge of history is appalling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Upper class women like the ones in the photos all had ladies maids who coiffed and dressed them. Their toilette took HOURS. Subjugating, IMO. I agree they look beautiful, but no thanks.

BTW, have you read The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton? So bleeping tragic. I'm glad I live now.

No, I've never read "The House of Mirth."

What makes you ask?

The main character, Lily Bart, was beautiful and expected to be an ornament for rich men, much like the women in those photos. She didn't settle, didn't find the right man, and wanted more than just marriage out of life. Eventually, her looks faded, her rich aunt caught her off, and she got sick and died destitute in a shoddy garrett. Those photos just reminded me of that story. It was tragic.