Around the turn of the century, fashion became a kind of language, one that spoke of status, taste, and the quiet art of being seen. These women, likely photographed between 1898 and Costumes for the 19th century witness2fashion Empire Regency epochs of fashion: Costume and Dress throughout History 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 Dress, 1810 Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century Claremont Colleges Digital Library 1820 1829 Fashion History Timeline