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Story: Women’s movement

Traditional wedding, 1890s

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Traditional wedding, 1890s

The remarkably elaborate dress that was standard Victorian wedding wear is shown in this 1890 photograph. The three women are rigidly corseted, and there was a tight inner tube within the full leg-o’-mutton sleeves. The skirts were heavy and the train made them difficult to keep clean. These restrictive clothes prompted the movement for dress reform.

Using this item

Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection

Reference: 179687

Permission must be sought from Nelson Provincial Museum before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Megan Cook, Women’s movement – Women’s groups, 1890s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/27897/traditional-wedding-1890s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Megan Cook, published 7 April 2011.