What 19th-Century Women in Natural History Wore To Work

My besotted romance with 19th-century natural history fashion is with the fashion of the wealthy. Gowns from the House of Doucet. Silk. Brocade. Feathers. Ha. Riiiiight. That would not have been me. My 19th-century foremothers were Alsatian dirt farmers. And one suffragette.

The perfect Victorian cosplay apple picking outfit!

Early women in natural history didn't Victorian cosplay apple picking in pumpkin-spice-latte-colored slippers, they went to work. Fern gathering. Shell collecting. Being the first female professors. Mary Anning-ing.


What did they wear?  Here's a list of Female Scientist Before the 20th Century. I'm becoming partial to the outfits and hats (and facial expressions) of Beatrix Potter:

Wool means business. 

Florals and stripes. Yes, really.