Between 1890 and 1899, women’s dresses embraced dramatic silhouettes and growing individuality. Early in the decade, gowns featured tight bodices and enormous leg-of-mutton sleeves, balanced by bell-shaped skirts that flared gracefully from the waist. By the mid-1890s, sleeves reached their peak volume, while skirts began to narrow and adopt a trumpet shape. Toward the end of the decade, the silhouette shifted again with the introduction of the straight-front corset, creating a more elongated, S-shaped figure. These evolving styles reflected both artistic trends and the increasing visibility of the modern, active woman.