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Learn How to Write
Fantasy Stories
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How To Dress A Victorian Lady
When writing a Victorian era
fantasy novel, even though it's fantasy, you'll want
your world and characters to represent the period with
accuracy. Even if you loosely develop a fantasy world
based on the Victorian period, the information in this
article will help dress characters in Victorian style
apparel with enough detail to make it real in the reader's
mind.
In this article we'll study the clothing of a Victorian
Lady. Lady was the proper title of any woman whose husband
ranked higher than baronet or
knight, or who was the daughter of a nobleman not
lower than an earl. A Lady's affluent lifestyle followed
fashion. With that in mind, this article takes a look
at how to dress a fantasy character based on historical
dress.
Details down to underwear reflect a Victorian character's
placement in time. In the first half of the nineteenth
century undergarments served a utilitarian function. At
that time, underwear lacked trimmings and decoration. But
in the second half of the century, frills like lace and
embroidery came into style. When dressing or undressing
your character, keep details period specific.
Basic Victorian Undergarments
Chemise: a loose-fitting, white linen
shirt-like undergarment designed to hang straight from the
shoulders, fit loosely at the waist, sometimes more
tightly at the hip and reached to the calf. You'll want to
research neckline shapes and other small alterations for
the timeframe of your story.
Drawers: an undergarment that covers the lower
part of the body with legs reaching to the knees. Legs of
this garment were sewn separately leaving the crotch open.
Drawstring casings gathered at the back above a
loose-fitting seat. This loose fit design prevented the
open seam from separating. Again, depending on the exact
time frame, you'll want to research whether the legs to
the drawers for your character should be flared or wide,
or gathered at the knee.
Corset: a close-fitting undergarment, stiffened
with whalebone or similar material and often tightened by
lacing. It fit tight around the trunk of the body. Women
wore this garment to shape and support the body. It was
worn over or under the petticoat.
Petticoat:(most often made in one piece with
the bodice attached) Commonly made of flannel, this
garment worked as a slip or underskirt worn for warmth and
to hide the contour of a woman's legs. Often a decorative
petticoat was full and trimmed with ruffles or lace. Three
Petticoats were usually the minimum worn.
Stiffened petticoat, crinoline or bustle:
Several petticoats were worn to support the bell shape
skirt (before the cage crinoline in the 1850's). Early
petticoats were starched and corded (cords ran through
them to hold the hem out). Petticoats changed with
fashion. As you design your character's wardrobe, consider
the decade you want to target within the Victorian era. Do
some research. Should your character be wearing a narrow
paneled skirt or a wide bell skirt? Bustles came and went.
Be sure to check if it is appropriate to add a bustle to
your character's fashion sense.
Decorative petticoat: Depending on the year,
decorative petticoats included things like flounces down
the back, popular colors like scarlet or added decoration
at the hem that showed below the hem of the dress.
Stockings
It's worth noting that during Victorian times, a Lady
never referred to her legs. Petticoats and other
undergarments were worn to hide the shape of a woman's
legs. Does your Lady wear stockings gathered at the knee?
What kind of garter holds her stockings in place? Are they
made from rich silk fabrics with woven patterns or
embroidered motifs? Or are they plain, ribbed, or fancy
knit stockings?
Garters: An article of clothing used to hold up
stockings-garters evolved over time so be sure to dress
your fantasy character appropriately. The first garters
tied around the leg, the next garters slipped onto the
leg, and then elastic garters were invented. By the end of
the century, a strap sewn to the bottom of the corset
worked like a suspender to secure the stockings. What
garter is appropriate for your character's period?
Other Underwear
Crinolines: A skirt made of coarse stiff fabric
like cotton or horsehair worn over the petticoat and then
covered by a decorative petticoat
Bustles: A pad, cushion, or framework worn
under the back of a woman's skirt to expand, support, and
display the full cut and drape of a dress. It was worn
over the petticoat and then covered by a decorative
petticoat.
Corset covers: Protected the dress and corset
from perspiration. This garment originated as the separate
bodice for the petticoat. This waist length garment opened
at the front.
The Victorian Skirt or Dress
Victorian Ladies were women of fashion. Over the basic
dress, they wore a variety of matching draperies and
overskirts which fell in graceful folds to embellish the
dress. The basic dress sometimes came in two pieces, a
matching bodice and skirt. Other dresses were sewn as a
single garment with a fitted seam at the waist. Another
popular fashion used consistently in writing fantasy is
the one-piece princess dress with no waist seam. Dress
style varied with fashion.
Dress Accessories Ladies made a fashion statement
by completing their look with matching accessories. Other
items you'll want to add and research include collars,
under-sleeves and cuffs.
Matching capes and jackets added a bit of flare to the
basic dress. Sometimes these matching capes and jackets
were made to be worn indoors. Other outwear includes
things like cloaks, shawls and mantles.
Shoes and Boots Shoe fashion for indoors included
flat slippers in the first half of the nineteenth century.
For outdoors, Ladies wore short boots with flat heels.
During the second half of the century footwear developed
heels and boots became taller.
Head Coverings
Caps: In the early Victorian period, caps were worn
indoors by married and older Ladies.
Decorative hair-nets
Bonnets: Worn outdoors over indoor caps.
Hats: Stylish hats were worn without the indoor cap.
Other Victorian Accessories To complete your
character's wardrobe you'll add other Victorian
Accessories. The following list will aid in your research
to complete the look:
Gloves, flat purses, walking stick parasols, pleated
folding fans, jewelry and more.
Now that you have the basics to get started, visit sites
like the
Victorian Fashion Timeline for more information.
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