Victorian fashion research

To get a feel of what of what women of Estella's age would have worn in the Victorian time period I did research into the era. The fashion changed a lot throughout the Victorian era so the styling will depend very much on what point in the story I chose to base my Estella on. 

I will base my Estella on the time period from when she returns from Paris as I feel this is when she does through the biggest transformation in the story as she goes from a girl to a young woman.

(http://www.fashion-era.com)

This dress is a typical style of the time. The off the shoulder detail was very popular which showed a change of attitude to sexuality and showing off flesh. Colours that were popular at the time were soft and light shades of yellow, blue, pink, etc as they showed off youth. Lace was also popular at the time for young women as it was revered as sexy and seductive but in a subtle way.