Victorian Living

Pinkies up, everyone

Ladies Dress:Layers of

Victorian underwear, including a chemise, drawers, corset and several petticoats, were worn by mid-19th century women

Turnoure Corset

Bustle and Skirt

Step by Step: How to Dress

1. Chemise- unshaped undergarment which reaches just below the knees and has a drawstring neckline.

2. Underneath- Drawers!

Step by Step: How to Dress

2. Corset- back lacing, has a front busk closure.

Knowing how to lace a corset was important to achieve the correct look in Victorian fashion!

Step by Step: How to Dress

3. Under Petticoat- usually quite plain and worn as many as six at a time, depending on the season

- stiffened fabric - tangling petticoats

were heavy, bulky and generally uncomfortable

Step by Step: How to Dress

4. Hoop skirt or crinoline- liberator from the need for the excessive layers of under petticoats

- Various appearances

Step by Step: How to Dress

5. Over Petticoat- often with an elaborately embroidered hem

Step by Step: How to Dress

6. Victorian dress- (pictured here)

"fan front" bodice with capped close-fitting long sleeves and a cartridge pleated, three flounced skirt

Step by Step: How to DressThe properly attired Victorian lady is never seen in public without bonnet and gloves!

Hats:Trimmed with

frills, feathers, flowers, and ribbons, wide-brimmed bonnets were a "must-have" fashion accessory for women

Other must haves:

Shawls◦ Fans

Bathing suits

Early1800s

Bathing suits

1810

Bathing suits

1864

Bathing suits

1890s

Bathing suits1900

Men’s Clothing:

“Any attempt to be conspicuous is in excessively bad taste.”

Simplicity should always preside over the Victorian gentleman's

Coats:4 different types all men must have:

1. a morning coat2. a frock coat3. a dress coat4. an overcoat

The dress of a gentleman should not cost him more than a tenth of his income on an average

Walking Suits: Best option = suit of

tweed, ordinary boots, gloves not too dark for the coat, a scarf with a pin in winter, or a small tie of one color in summer, a respectable black hat and a cane

Walking Suit Cont. In the country or at the sea-side

a straw hat or wide-awake may take the place of the beaver hat

Make visits as well as lounge in the street, the frock coat of very dark blue or black, or a black cloth cut-away, the white waistcoat, and lavender gloves, are almost indispensable

Evening or Dress Fashions:

Black and white are the only colors (or no colors) admissible

He may make himself admired for his wit, not his toilette; his elegance and refinement, not the price of his clothes.

Sporting Fashions:An old coat with large

pockets, gaiters in one case, and if necessary, large boots in the other, thick shoes at any rate, a wide-awake, and a well-filled bag or basket at the end of the day, make up a most respectable Victorian sportsman

Dinner Party Conduct:

Politeness at the table◦Don’t make people sit when more than 12

◦Conversation is general◦All should be from the same circle in society

◦No one should be superior to the other

Dinner Party Conduct:Invitations:

◦Declined- reason why needs to be sent to the host immediately

◦Accepted- nothing but “serious difficulty” should prevent anyone from going

◦Company must be punctual!◦Most people show up 10-15 minutes

early

Dinner Party Conduct:CORRECT Utensil Use:

Dinner Party Conduct:INCORRECT Utensil Use:

Dinner Party Conduct:Bad Manners When Eating:

◦DO NOT disrespect waiters/servers◦Don’t apologize for making trouble

for them

◦When they ask if you want something, say, - “If you please,” or “Not any, I thank you.”

And so the rules begin…1. Sit upright-

don’t slouch2. Spread napkin

across your lap

3. Keep hands from the table until it’s your time to be served (don’t wait with fork and knife in your hand)

Rules: Waiting to be served- small talk,

pleasant conversation

Meal should be 30-60 minutes

Take your time when eating- better for your health, “increases happiness”

Rules: Never eat fastNever fill your food with mouthNEVER CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH

OPENNever make noise with your

mouth or throatNever leave the table with your

mouth open

Rules: Never soil the table clothNever encourage an animal to

play at the tableNever use anything but a fork

and a spoon to feed yourselfNever explain why certain table

foods don’t agree with youNever introduce

disgusting/inappropriate topics at the table

Rules: Never pick your teeth or put

hand in mouth while eatingNever cut bread- always break it.

Spread butter on each piece as you eat it

Never come to the table with short sleeves, unwashed hands, disheveled hair

Never call loudly for the waiter or bring attention to yourself

Rules: Never hold bones in your fingers

while you eat- cut the meat off the bone

Never use your own knife when cutting butter. Use the knife assigned

Never wipe your fingers on the table cloth or in your mouth. Always use your own napkin

Never wear gloves at the table

Rules: Never make a display of finding

fault with your foodNever pass your plate with a fork

and a knife on it. Rest them on a piece of bread

Never make a display when removing insects, hair, or other disagreeables from your food. Set it aside quietly

Never clean your plate too much- you’ll look desparate

Rules: Never tip back in your chair or

lounge upon the table – it makes you look like you’re ill bred

Never, ever, leave until everyone has finished or without asking to be excused◦“May I be excused from the table,

please?”Never spit out pits from fruits,

bones, etc. Press them from your mouth upon the fork, and lay them at the side of the plate

Rules: Never let the conversation stray

away from chit-chat- deep conversation doesn’t allow for proper digestion

Never permit yourself to engage in heated conversation

Never put your feet too far under the table to where you’ll kick the person in front of you

Rules: Never praise extravagantly every

dish set before you; you should appear indifferent

Thank your host as you leave◦Shake their hand, curtsey

Site to review: http://www.angelpig.net/victorian

/dinner-party-conduct.html