Women's Lives in the Victorian Era ~ Appearance - Part One

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Victorian society told women that their value as human beings was tied directly to their appearance. That a beautiful woman could marry well and secure her future. That an unattractive woman was doomed to spinsterhood, poverty, and social irrelevance. In the twisted logic of the Victorian Era this amounted to a pale and consumption-type look. Consumption was taking the lives of many at that time. Looking fragile and delicate was the look of the upper-class woman. You could do no physical labor and needed to be taken care of. Women wore gloves and used parasols when out in the sun. Face vails and wide brimmed hats were worn so their delicate skin would not freckle. Women of lesser means who had to be out running errands in order to run of their household would be more apt to use products on their skin. Lemon, cucumber or other more dangerous products.