WHAT WE WORE

Ramsgate Sands was painted by WP Frith between 1851-54 and shows in detail the dress worn for a seaside trip at this time. Fashionable women wore full skirts over layers of petticoats, often with flounces to emphasise the width. The bodice had a pointed waist and the sleeves flared at the cuff in a ‘pagoda’ shape. A narrow cut three-piece suit was popular for men, the distinguishing look of this date being the side whiskers worn with otherwise short hair.