1878 Emmeline Pankhurst - Victorian Red

1870s Seaside Stripe Cotton Fabric

Product Description

This reconstructed striped cotton is inspired by seaside fashions of the late 1870s, where bold lines and light colour contrasts defined summer dress. The design reflects garments worn for promenade and leisure, combining elegance with practicality.

The clear stripe rhythm enhances movement across the fabric, making it particularly effective in full skirt panels and structured bodices. It captures the lighter, more relaxed side of bustle-era fashion.

Well suited for

Ideal for bustle-era summer dresses, seaside gowns, bodices, and skirts. Particularly suitable for garments requiring strong visual direction and movement. Also well suited for parasols, accessories, and light interior applications with a historic coastal character.

Design & Historical Context

During the late 1870s, seaside fashion embraced striped cottons for their freshness and practicality. These textiles were associated with leisure, travel, and outdoor social life, offering both visual clarity and comfort in warm-weather garments.

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) was a British political activist and leader of the suffragette movement, advocating for women’s voting rights.

Her work reflects the broader social changes of the late 19th century, where women increasingly participated in public life—paralleling shifts in dress, identity, and mobility.