Edwardian

Edwardian refers to the period associated with the reign of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom (1901–1910), though the term is often extended to the years up to the outbreak of World War I in 1914. The label describes not only political dates but the culture, fashion, and design of the British Empire in the early 20th century.

Politically, the era followed Victoria's reign and was marked by continued industrial growth, urbanization, and social change. Diplomatic relations included the Entente Cordiale with France. The period saw rising middle-class influence, growing leisure culture, and the beginnings of organized movements for suffrage and labor reform.

In design and culture, Edwardian style is noted for greater lightness and ornament. Architecture ranged from ornate formal styles, such as Edwardian Baroque, to simpler, well-crafted domestic forms. Interior design favored brighter rooms, decorative detailing, and a mix of traditional craft with modern methods. Fashion reflected a shift toward comfort in daywear for women—tea gowns and lighter silhouettes—while formal menswear remained tailored. In literature, theater, and film, the era produced works that balanced wit, social observation, and a sense of transition toward modernity.

The Edwardian period is commonly seen as a transitional moment between Victorian sensibilities and the social and cultural upheavals that followed, marking the start of modern life in Britain and the broader Anglophone world.