Ironically, Victorians themselves often recognized the dangerous allure of Victorian fashion. Articles often reminded women not to become enslaved to the notion of always having the latest fashions, or of choosing styles that might be popular but would be uncomplimentary to their physique or complexion. The cost of fashion was also an issue for many Victorian women, and many articles offered tips on keeping "in style" within a limited budget.

Dress as a Fine Art, by Mrs. Merrifield (Art Journal, 1853)

A look at dress both as art and in art.

Colors in Dress

Identifying the best colors to wear based on one's hair and skin tones. (Peterson's, 1858)

Well-Dressed (Godey's, 1860)

What it means to be a well-dressed lady.

Paris Correspondence (Godey's, 1863)

A look at the latest fashions in Paris, along with other notes about Paris life.

Parisian Correspondence (Godey's, 1867)

The Art of Dress (Peterson's, 1872)

Fashion Hints (Demorest, 1872)

Letters from the editor on various fashion topics.

How to Be Pretty (Peterson's, 1872)

Dress at Home and Abroad, by Jenny June (Demorest, 1873)

"It is possible to think and act for oneself even upon the subject of dress, and decide for ourselves how far our time and strength should be given to it, and in what way."

Modern Extravagance [in Dress] (Demorest, 1873)

Street Attire (Demorest, 1873)

How I Dressed My Daughters, by Phillis Browne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1875)

Common Sense About the "Fashions" (Peterson's, 1879)

The Incongruities of Art in Dress, by Mrs. Strange Butson (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1881)

The "painful incongruities that are displayed by those who aspire to manifest artistic tendencies in their habiliments."

A Talk on Dress (Harper's Monthly, 1881A)

Economy in Dress (Harper's Monthly, 1882A)

"The present paper will endeavor to explain by what simple means and with what little expense one of the needs of civilized life--the dressing of its women in comely fashion--may be attained."

How to Dress Rationally, by A.A. Strange Butson (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

Dressmaking Hints: Dress for Elderly Ladies (Peterson's, 1883)

Family Clothing: What It Is and How to Buy It, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

Hints on How to Dress (Peterson's, 1883)

Paris Fashion Letter (monthly) (Peterson's, 1883)

Some Hints on Economy in Dress (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1885)

How to make the best appearance at the least cost!

Climate and Clothing (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

How to Dress on 20 Pounds a Year (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

A Vexed "Woman's Question," by Isabelle Fyvie Mayo (Girl's Own Paper, 1887)

Whether it is worse to care too much, or too little, about one's attire, that is the question...

What Should We Afford for Dress? by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

How to dress well on a modest income.

The Winter Dress of Men and Women (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1889)

Letters from Artists on Ladies' Dress (The Strand, 1891A)

A number of contemporary artists offer their opinions on current fashions, and sketches for some ideal (and idealized) costumes.

What Writers Have Said About Dress (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

A selection of quotes from various writers on dress and fashion.

A Victim to Fashion (cartoon) (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

Winifred's Wardrobe, by Josepha Crane (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

An exploration of how to build one's wardrobe on modest means, told as a story.

The Art of Economy in Dress, by Mrs. Leonard Marshall (Windsor Magazine, 1898A)

The Vagaries of Fashion: The Skirt - Its Eccentricities and Its Graces, by Mrs. Eric Pritchard (Lady's Realm, 1901)