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.

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- 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

Create a Victorian Bustle Era Dress Costume

The Victorian bustle era costume look 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, its really not ...

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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 Formal Wear, Wedding Tuxedo

My vintage dancing friend Cary recently asked me where he could buy reproduction Victorian men's formal wear. This is a topic I had to research a few months ago for my husband's wedding suit. Here is what I found: Victorian Men's Formal Wear: Tailcoat For t...

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November 4, 2014

40 Men’s Vintage and Vintage Inspired 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 ru...

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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

Victorian 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

New Authentic Victorian Boots 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 boot provided good ankle support for those ````tiny feet Victorian women had. Looking at original vintage women's boots I am s...

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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

5 Essential Victorian Costume Accessories

While a fashionable Victorian dress is the quickest way to transport yourself back in time you must not forget about several important Victorian costume accessories. Without these your ensemble will lack the ornamentation the Victorian era was known for. ...

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October 6, 2010

Victorian Fashion History

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