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The late Victorian through the early Edwardian period ... from the 1870's through about 1910.
Women wore the most gorgeous long dresses ... trimmed with lace and ribbons, bows, tassels, feathers. In the Victorian times women's dresses often had bustles and long trains edged with pleated ruffles and embroidered with velvet piping and hand sewn beadwork. Nothing today compares.
The Edwardian period women wore slender long frocks and dress suits, often with "leg-o-mutton" sleeves. They wore enormous hats with silk flowers and feathers ... this was the era of the "Titanic" and "My Fair Lady."
I was going to say that this period had the most beautiful clothes but you beat me to it. The dresses are elegant and their whole image was balanced with the hats and elegant hair.
Of course they are shaped by the corset, and while they are popular, I don't think we'll see those come back as a main fashion accessory, except for renfair fans and SCA members.
1980s were the last decade with a distinct style. Butched up styles of the middle aged lesbians (baggy T-shirts, short haircuts, plus sized jeans/shorts and sneakers...) define straight women of 1990s, 2000s and now.
I love the Victorian style, so beautiful and elegant. This is why I am part of a fashion called Lolita (has nothing to do with the book), it's a Japanese street fashion and is inspired by Victorian styled clothing.
I am not sure which is the best, many have their virtues. The late 50s - early 60s was the Mad Men era. I thing the clothes were simple, stylish and chic.
I dislike the wide skirts and dresses of the earlier 5os - very over powering.- like the dress is wearing you.
I DO think that there is a decade that is the absolute worst - the 1980s! Horrible hair, make up, jewelry.Trashy looking clothes.
I'm not sure which was the best, but the 70s was the worst.
Honestly modern urban women's fashion is pretty good in SF from what I can tell. Coats, trousers, hats, gloves and high boots are awesome. What I don't like are summer outfits like miniskirts and daisy dukes.
I'm going with 30's through about 60s (based off of variety of hollywood movies encompassing many socio economic strata). Certain styles (whoever did the fashion for the 1959 movie Best of Everything) capture and enhance the female form exceptionally well. Though having an exceptional form makes it a lot easier . The movie, if I recall, had Suzy Parker, Hope Lange, and lots of other natural beauties which makes it easier. The syles of 40's film noir actresses, and glamour of say, Ava Gardner / Grace Kelly come easily to mind.
Each era though, evolves slightly based on what part of female form the perceived locus of beauty resides. While Victorian / Edwardian style looks nice to me, the average women back then probably hardly ever wore much variety, except for those well off. Also things like corsets and style which placed the emphasis on enunciating the small waist and generally cloaking the width of hips and legs altogether certainly added an air of mystery. (Images of 'can- can' come to mind, or oh, we glimpsed an ankle LOL). I do like hats, gloves (Rita Hayworth as Gilda - meow) and stylized leggings/ stockings / garters - ah!
Its funny to contrast some eras. I notice most 1930's glamour styles are very natural in form. The female breast was allowed to delicately assume its natural sloping curves without as much cinching / propping, and the lower torso tended to be wrapped snuggly. Especially like the 'baby maker wrap' look that seemed prevalent then - on the right form of course.
A style element that I think never goes away (due to anthropological bio physio hardwiring 'urge to merge') is a nicely wrapped upper waist to hips on a fit woman that has that fine taper, hugging a delightful curve from the small of back to apex of buttocks - one of the most pleasingly aesthetic visual sights in the world (at least for a man ). Think Gnger Rogers in a few of those movies with Fred Astaire. It's like an electromagnet drawing men in.
A style element I dislike is those victorian era high (empire -waist?) waist things that remind one of what a woman wears to cover up an excess of her mid section i.e maternity clothes or say a moo moo (sp?).
Two last points: how a female carries herself, bearing, carriage etc... will make up for a lot of bad clothing styles. Because no matter how it is 'cloaked' - the fluid kinesthetic moves of a well comported woman will most often shine right through, while - you know that old phrase about a pig in lipstick? And it is same for attitude too. You can find a fashionable styled woman very attractive and then sometimes when she opens her mouth - well, I think you get the idea.
I'd actually say 00s/10s except for one thing ... seems like most women are covered in tattoos! I love scene girls and the fashions women wear today but the tats ruin it.
I voted 80s just to be different.
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. The movie, if I recall, had Suzy Parker, Hope Lange, and lots of other natural beauties which makes it easier. The syles of 40's film noir actresses, and glamour of say, Ava Gardner / Grace Kelly come easily to mind. 
