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Copyright - May not be
reproduced without permission from: Victoria
Rumble
CLOTHING DO's & DON'TS
CLOTHING
"DO'S"
- Choose a
standard one piece dress consisting of bodice and skirt - either a
darted or gathered bodice
- Choose an
appropriate sleeve For cotton or homespun
consider the gathered cuff or coat sleeve. If using a pagoda sleeve
remember this is a late 1850's style and
should reflect a pre-war opulence
- Choose natural
fabrics - l00% silk, cotton, wool, or linen or a blend of these
- Choose colors
and patterns available during the period For
homespun choose a color that ranges in the natural dyeing category
- Choose
appropriate buttons - glass, metal, or wood, etc.
Black glass is a good substitute for jet - or use
hooks and eyes
- Choose to hem
the dress approximately l to 2 inches off the floor, no more for a
better dress, and not more than 3 in. for a work dress
- Wear proper
underpinnings for the correct silhouette - especially corset or work
stays and skirt support such as a corded petticoat
- Purchase
correct shoes when your budget allows - consider Lincoln Log Cabin
(2l7-345-l845) Purchase cotton stockings
- Dress the hair
in a suitable l860's style - parted in the middle, chignon at the base
of the head
- Choose
earrings with French wires and simple broaches
- Choose a
correctly made bonnet - consider a slat or corded bonnet or a Linda Gray
straw bonnet
- Choose a
bonnet and not a hat. Use hand-stitched
button holes
- Match proper
fabrics to the era the clothing was constructed - example: don't make a
homespun dress with Pagoda sleeves - this incorporates a pre-war style
with war year fabric
- Purchase
correct eyewear for the period
CLOTHING "DONT'S"
- Wear
fingerless mitts Wear snoods. The correct term
is "net" and these were worn over fully dressed hair. They were light
often described as "invisible" and not a catch-all for modern hairstyles
- Wear
sunglasses
- Wear post
earrings
- Wear felt
bonnets
- Wear hats as a
rule unless very young
- Wear modern
jewelry including wristwatches
- Wear huge
sutler hoops - consider a 90-ll0 in. cage or corded petticoat instead
- Wear make-up
and nail polish or excessively long nails
- Wear synthetic
fabrics or synthetic blends
- Wear plastic
buttons Incorporate machine stitched button
holes
- Wear
Garibaldi/skirt combos unless under l8-20 years of age
- Wear Zouave
jacket/skirt/blouse combos - if you want the jacket wear it over a one
piece dress
- Wear "tea"
bodices
- Wear bangs or
any other modern hair style, avoid sausage curls if you are a grown
woman
- Wear
Battenburg lace, and lace on dresses - especially day wear. Avoid nylon
or synthetic lace all together
- Wear Day caps
for l86l or later
- Construct
dresses or other garments without using a reliable historically
documented pattern with proper fit
- Wear dresses
which are short enough to show the ankles and feet
- Wear ball
gowns during the day Wear ball gowns of
synthetic satin or other modern fabric and/or not made in a properly
documented style.
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