Dressing Cases and Vanity Boxes had multiple different uses. They were made to carry personal and toiletry items during travel for the genteel ladies and gentlemen. They were most popular from the end of the 18th Century to the last quarter of the 19th Century, and they would still make a luxury accessory today.
During the first part of this period, most Dressing Cases were predominantly for men. They were used for multiple reasons – for going to war, for education, or even for use when just visiting friends. Ladies during this time did not travel very much, hence why ladies’ vanity cases were less available. However, from the beginning of the 19th Century, Vanity Cases began to become popular for the ladies. They were used for long visits to grand houses, visiting relatives, and visiting friends. The Vanity / Dressing Cases would contain mirrors, perfume bottles, hairbrushes, combs, manicure sets, and concealed jewellery trays (which some would also use for writing). All of their uses made them a great all-encompassing box for travel.
The popularity of the Vanity Box declined for men during the Victorian era, as the old powdered wigs and cosmetics for men fell out of trend, and men were expected to be more masculine and ladies to be soft and pretty. Towards the end of the 19th Century, Dressing Boxes became popular with all ladies, not just the more affluent.