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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.

Victorian Children’s Clothing and Fashion
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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
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Victorian Fashion – 1840s to 1890s
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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
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Victorian Makeup Guide & Beauty History
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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
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Victorian Men’s Fashion History
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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
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Victorian Hand Fans – Ladies Fans
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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
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How to Make a Victorian Ball Gown- No Sewing!
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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
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Victorian Bustle Dress Costume Guide
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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
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Men’s Victorian Costume and Clothing Guide
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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
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Wild West Steampunk Costume & Toddler Costume
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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
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Victorian Costume Jewelry to Wear with Your Dress
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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
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1800s Dresses, Capelets, Hoop Skirts, Blouses
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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
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History of Victorian Boots & Shoes for Women
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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
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Make a Victorian Carriage Parasol
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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
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Victorian Gloves | Victorian Accessories
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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
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