Abstract
Aestheticism at the end of the nineteenth century can best be examined through the dandyism of Oscar Wilde's stage costumes.
In this essay, I will first study the costumes of his comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” and the relation between the theatre and its stage costumes. Next, I will outline details of the costumes of the characters. Finally, I'll consider the symbolism of Oscar Wilde's costumes.
1) Relation between theatre and its stage costumes : In the late nineteenth century the stage costumes in London were influenced by the “couture” of Paris. But the dressmakers of London wanted to make their own stage costumes for the London theatre which would lead to increased sales of dresses of like design.
2) The costumes of the play's characters : The dandyism of the times was represented by two gentlemen wearing the most elegant lounge suits, tailcoats, and so on. Three women were beautifully costumed, and the leading magazines of the day published many photographs and illustrations of the costumes. Those fashionable dresses set off a trend.
3) The symbolism of Oscar Wilde's costumes : I think that Wilde created his characters to satirize Victorian morals, so his characters had to wear the most complete costumes of the upper class.
