How To Wear // Nouveau Victorian
Fall fashion is finally upon us! As the colored leaves fall gracefully to the pavement, and the autumn wind begins to nip at our noses, we can finally delve into our autumn wardrobes. It’s the season of comfortable layers, rich and dark color palettes, and boots, boots, boots! Although many fall fashion trends deserve a celebration this season, we’re beginning our autumn with a style that’s a bit more avant-garde: Nouveau Victorian.
Yes, you heard us, Victorian. Don’t panic! We don’t expect you to embody a Charlotte Brontë complete with all the lace, frills, and intricate beading associated with the era, but you can incorporate this style into your wardrobes in a way that is modern, casual, and straight off of the runway.
Here are some our expert tips on how to wear Nouveau Victorian this fall:
The casual ruffle.
The ruffle is a staple in the Victorian wardrobe, and you’ll also find it among the collections of Givenchy and Alexander McQueen. A ruffled blouse is a must-have for this style, and a versatile piece that can be worn in a multitude of fashions.
Here we’ve decided to go casual by pairing our ruffled top with a denim overall. It’s comfortable with an edge, and makes a statement. Pairing a high-collared, ruffled top with a denim or high waist trouser is a good steppingstone into this trend. (Once you test the waters with a ruffle, you can graduate to bolder Victorian elements.)
High Collar.
Everyone imagines the high-collared piece when referencing the Victorian era (and rightly so). If you can find a high collar that also ties around the neck, well then you’ve hit the jackpot. A high-collard blouse or dress brings attention up to the face, adds exuberance and whimsy, and will keep you warm in the cooler months.
Here we’ve paired a chambray, high-collared blouse that ties around the neck with a striped pant for texture. (And what would Nouveau Victorian be without a fantastic, vintage piece of jewelry?)
Head-to-toe Victorian.
You’ve dabbled in the waters with a ruffled top and high-collared piece, so you should now feel brave enough to go full-blown Nouveau Victorian! Let’s combine them all, shall we?
Here we’re wearing a (very) high-collared, lace blouse from Anthropologie, paired with antique jewelry and a high-waist trouser with a tied belt. It encapsulates everything we love about this trend while still looking modern, playful and bold.
By Amanda Santo












