ABSTRACT
Oscar Wilde was a celebrated author, poet and playwright who became a notorious commentator during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Wilde came under the influence of both John Ruskin and Walter Pater whilst up at Oxford which helped to develop his position that art is at the core of life and would therefore assist in developing an individual’s personal awareness. He is often associated with the Aesthetic style and was lampooned for this, both in print and on the stage. Wilde also wrote and lectured on all aspects of the decorative arts, as well as dress reform. Dress reform and the revised design of clothing was a response to the constricted lives of many Victorian women. In an article entitled ‘Mr. Oscar Wilde On Woman’s Dress’ for the Pall Mall Gazette on October 14, 1884, Wilde refutes some of the criticism expressed in letters written to the Gazette about his recent lectures on dress reform.
