Victorian Sexuality

Despite the veneer of repressive rules and strict layering of clothing during the 1800s, Victorian sexuality was more pronounced than many in the modern world had been led to believe. The topic of sex was discussed widely among doctors, intellectual circles and among the wealthy. The wealthy were at a better position to defy social codes and express their sexuality in the Victorian era, but Victorians had a preoccupation with sex like never before in history. Victorian sexuality included campaigns against such issues as the individual who spent too much time alone, otherwise called “solitary vice” or “onanism.” There were numerous burlesques and cabaret shows where patrons could enjoy flowing drinks, crude jokes and scantily clad women. Open comments about a woman’s undergarment was unacceptable however.

Women were only expected to have sex with their husbands and remain chaste until marriage. Men, however, could have multiple female partners; homosexuality in the Victorian era was underground and remained taboo. Those who chose to steer away from sexual moral codes did so underground in the form of secret brothels or gambling parlors, usually in basements or dens of an established business. Sexuality in the Victorian era mostly pertained mostly to women who faced the heaviest restrictions. Therefore, women who broke sexual norms usually exposed their stockings and wore shorter skirts. Sensual Victorian photographs always showed a woman with stockings and her dress lifted up. Topless photos would come later, but Victorian sexuality era always included legs exposed, usually covered with stockings. There was no difference between Victorian sexuality and the expression of sex in other centuries; the difference was that vice and sensuality of Victorians was done more so in secret and away from prying eyes of neighbors.