The empire waist reshaped fashion in the early 19th century. It borrowed from classical antiquity and rejected the ridgid styles of the 18th century. While the fashion looked more relaxed, the societal 19th Century Fashion Old Fashion Clothes 1800 19th Century Fashion Empire Dress Hi res Stock Photography Glittering Empire Waist Slit Tulle Bridesmaid Dress with V Neck Stitching the fashions of the 19th century: who dressed the 19th century elite? HistoryExtra