Victorian Fashion History and Costume Guides

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Victorian Fashion History

Learn all about Victorian fashion history and costuming today. Our articles specialize in helping you put together a Victorian style costume that is perfect for beginning reenactors, theatrical performances, Dickens fair or Civil War event goers, Lolita, suffragettes, and all other Victorian costume needs. We love neo-Victorian Steampunk costuming too! If you don’t find the information or the costume you need please contact us for help.

1830s Dresses & Costumes to DIY

I received two questions this week about dressing in 1830s clothing (dresses) for theater and school events. One was about dressing the part of Cosette in a production of "Les Miserables" and the other about portraying Angelina Grimke, a social activist. The 1...

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January 9, 2019

Victorian Children’s Clothing and Fashion

The Victorian era was an interesting time for boys and girls fashion. Victorian children's clothing for middle and upper classes were smaller versions of adult clothing with shorter hemlines and sturdier materials. Poor children wore simplified hand me down ve...

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September 4, 2018

Victorian Fashion – 1840s to 1890s

The Victorian fashion era began with Queen Victoria's reign in 1837 and ended in 1901 upon her death. It marked a pivotal time in Britain's history and around the world. In fashion, the Victorian era is an elaborate display of class, wealth, beauty and pur...

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June 19, 2018

Victorian Makeup Guide & Beauty History

Victorian magazine, newspaper, advertisements and the like continuously echoed that a lady should never let her self-go, she must always maintain her beauty in order to find and keep her husband happy. A pretty face was also a welcome sight by men and it v...

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May 30, 2018

Victorian Men’s Fashion History

The following explores Victorian men's fashions from the pre-victorian 1830s to the late 1890s. It is sourced from Victorian Costume and Costume Accessories by Anne Buck, published in 1961. If you want to skip the history and learn how to create a Victorian me...

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May 29, 2018

Victorian Hand Fans – Ladies Fans

Victorian hand fans were a frequently accessory carried by delicate Victorian ladies. The language of the fan was discussed often in ladies journals and magazines. Was she single? Happy? Interested in conversation? Or just hot? The way she held her fan, carrie...

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May 24, 2018

Victorian Purses – Edwardian Handbags History

Victorian purses have a slow building history among women. While not a new invention the need for purses increased, especially among the middle classes who could afford to go shopping but not be in the company of servicemen at all hours. The real reason fo...

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May 1, 2018

How to Make a Victorian Ball Gown- No Sewing!

Of all the Victorian era events I have attended, dancing the night away to a live brass band at a Victorian ball is my favorite! Dancing among elegant ladies' Victorian ball gowns and gentlemen's tailcoats is heaven to me. It is how I got started in historical...

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January 2, 2018

Find Civil War, Victorian Boots & Shoes for Kids

Question: Where can I find Civil War era boots my kids (boys and girls) that wouldn't be as expensive reproduction boots. Answer: I hear you. Kids outgrow shoes quickly which makes them a hefty investment for an occasional hobby. Once upon a time, I was a l...

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September 8, 2017

1840-1850s Dickens Victorian Costuming for Women

Ever since I discovered the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco attending (or working) the fair has been an annual Christmas tradition. Nothing sets me up for the Christmas spirit like wandering the streets of London in 1840s-1850s clothing, admi...

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December 13, 2016

Victorian Dresses, Clothing: Patterns, Costumes, Custom Dresses

* Websites to help you make, or buy your next Victorian ere Dress

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September 7, 2016

Stacy Adams Men’s Victorian Boots and Shoes

Stacy Adams is a mens shoe company started in 1875 that makes modern shoes which could be dead ringers for authentic Victorian / Edwardian style boots. They are perfect for period fashion on a budget.

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May 13, 2016

Victorian Men’s Shirts- Dress Shirts, Western Shirts

A Victorian man on the Western frontier or living big city life as a Gentlemen is in need of a few good shirts. Plain white shirts were the most common for gentlemen while rustic folk found dark colors easier to keep clean. Button up, bib front, yoke, with or ...

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June 22, 2015

Victorian Bustle Dress Costume Guide

The Victorian bustle dress outfit is beautiful. All that lace, ribbon, bows, fringe, pleated trim, ruffles, and frills galore! You want to wear one. But, you don't know where to begin. It looks so complicated with all those layers. But, it is really not as...

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June 15, 2015

Guide to Victorian Civil War Costumes on a Budget

Today's post was contributed by my friend and fabulous costumer Sue Woods. I am always flabbergasted by her beautiful handmade historical costumes as well as drool worthy collection of vintage clothing. I knew she would be the perfect person to give us all som...

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March 9, 2015

Victorian Men’s Tuxedo, Tailcoats, Formalwear Guide

Where can you buy reproduction Victorian men's formal wear such as a tuxedo? This is a topic I had to research for husbands Victorian wedding suit. Protocol in formalwear changed over the seven Victorian era decades but the general look and feel is the similar...

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November 4, 2014

40 Men’s Vintage Reproduction Clothing Shops

While the choices of vintage and retro style clothing for women are many, for men there are fewer options. The market for affordable new men's vintage inspired clothing or vintage reproduction clothing just hasn't caught on yet. The best options for men are cu...

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April 29, 2014

Men’s Victorian Costume and Clothing Guide

Living out in the Wild West we have a lot of history that dates back to the mid to late Victorian era during the Gold and Silver Rushes of Northern Nevada and California. Since we have several Victorian themed reenactments to attend each year it is essenti...

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March 27, 2014

Wild West Steampunk Costume & Toddler Costume

Last weekend we attended the annual High Desert Steampunk Ball in our latest Steampunk costume creations. This one is my favorite Steampunk outfit to date. Debbie's Costume: This years costume all started when I fell in love with the stripey Chicstar Bla...

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September 17, 2013

Make an Easy Victorian Costume Dress with a Skirt and Blouse

Over the years I have received several requests for how to easily make a costume- especially Victorian costumes. Usually, the need is for a school play or one time event so the budget is very small. The least expensive ready made Victorian dress costumes r...

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February 28, 2013

Victorian Costume Jewelry to Wear with Your Dress

A very important part of dressing up in a Victorian costume is to complete your outfit with some good accessories. In all the excitement of making or buying a Victorian costume dress the accessories are often forgotten. Adding Victorian costume jewelry...

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February 15, 2013

1800s Dresses, Capelets, Hoop Skirts, Blouses

Over Thanksgiving weekend I finally was able to take my husband and baby to the Great Dickens' Christmas Fair in San Francisco. For the last 6 years I have missed going to the fair due to time and weather constraints but this year it finally happened. For tho...

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December 13, 2012

History of Victorian Boots & Shoes for Women

Victorian boots for woman were the most common footwear for most of the mid to late 19th century. The tall boot button or lace-up boots provided good ankle support for Victorian women. Looking at original vintage women's boots I am shocked at how long and ...

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December 3, 2012

Make a Victorian Carriage Parasol

I have wanted a Victorian Parasol to wear with my Victorian and Civil War costumes for a long time. Ready made lace parasols can be quite expensive. Cheaper "costume" quality parasols are OK but often have very short handles making them uncomfortable to h...

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June 13, 2012

New Steampunk Clothes – Skirts, Jackets, Corsets, and Boots

This past weekend I dressed up in my latest steampunk clothes for an photo event. It was a fun day and I have to say my outfit turned out pretty good. It is especially good considering I'm now 32 weeks pregnant and finding anything to wear is an especially big...

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February 8, 2012

Victorian Gloves | Victorian Accessories

Ladies Victorian gloves were an essential part of life in the 1940s to 1900 Victorian era. Both ladies and gentlemen would feel naked without a fine pair of gloves. Gloves evened the classes covering up the rough hands of a working-class or showing off wealth ...

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October 6, 2010

Victorian Fashion History

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