French Revolution Fashion

French Revolution fashion saw the changing of fashions for both men and women. Gone were the old fashions of big hair, stockings and fancy, buckled shoes. Trousers were worn by men instead of buckled shoes and stockings since they were considered a part of the old aristocracy. The frilly dresses and corsets for women were discarded and free flowing gowns were worn by women. This was the time of the enlightenment and such gowns were worn by women of ancient Greece and Rome, a throwback to an age of wisdom and reason. Makeup by men was also done away with for a simpler look. Clothing for both genders was toned down in color. Boots were introduced to complement trousers. Wigs were retained in the late 18th century, but gradually faded out by the early 1800s, but this was happening across Europe.

The French Revolution fashion saw a literal top down change in the way both men and women dressed. Nobles were being executed left and right at the beginning of the revolution. Everything with a hint of nobility and aristocracy was done away with, including the Christian calendar. The change in French Revolution fashion was a symbol of how people felt towards the nobility. This type of hostility had been building for years as Louis XIV's family lived in their own world of pomp and decadence at Versailles while many French citizens could not afford to feed their families. French fashions of the day became so grandiose and bombastic that it smacked in the face of ordinary French citizens who desired change in governance.