How Queen Victoria Made Her Mark on the Wild West
By Dr. Terra Liddil
In the mid-19th century the long arm of Queen Victoria reached far throughout the world. From London, to Paris to New York... and even to Las Vegas, New Mexico, the romantic embellishment of Victorian style would have a resounding influence. Not only the architecture, but the manner of dress in this booming frontier town would be forever changed.
During the Queen’s reign from 1837 to 1901, Las Vegas grew from a primitive settlement to a thriving rail town. As wagons trains rolled across the Gallinas River carrying enormous quantities of dry goods from eastern cities, the booming town bustled with trade and commerce. With the advent of the sewing machine in 1846, ready-made clothing, leather shoes, fancy bonnets, and other items were now being mass produced in eastern cities. Merchants like Ilfeld, Rosenwald, Romero, Ilfeld, and Stern filled their large warehouses with dry goods and clothing from Chicago and New York.
Salesmen in 3-piece suits amidst Victorian accessories ( bonnets,fans, parasols) circa 1862 Photo courtesy Las Vegas 1835-1935
With the coming of the railroad in 1879, the prosperous dry goods trade multiplied rapidly with new demands for stylish clothing. Fashion magazines proliferated, and newspapers were full of fashion ads. Romero’s advertised dry goods, hats, shoes, and boots. Ilfelds offered “the latest things in ladies’ clothing”. Harper’s Bazaar announced “the newest designs from … Paris and Berlin”.
Clothes of this era were well-made, colorful, and adorned with lace, linen, and embroidery. Practical loose fitting prairie dresses gave way to tight fitting high buttoned bodices. Waists were narrowed with corsets, and hips widened with layers of petticoats and bustles. Field-worthy leather boots were replaced with narrow, pointed lace-up heels. Men wore vested suits and fine shirts. Hats and gloves were required accessories.
Women’s, men’s and children’s clothing are all on display. Learn why certain clothes signified different things, and the expectations for how professionals should dress. See the strict standards that dictated how a gentleman should dress. And how the fabric and decoration of certain women's accessories had meaning as to her rank and status. You’ll also learn how and why the attire of the working man and the cowboy differed from the professional banker or attorney
Stop by the museum to experience this fascinating era of Victorian finery in the Wildest of the Wild West!