How to Dress Victorian 1865 Fashions

Click on an area of the picture (5 areas) to see clothing items worn by the Victoiran lady and child. A new window will open. Simply close the new window when finished reading.

1865-1867 French Afternoon Dress with Victorian Child's Dress:

A Paris-made bright blue silk three piece costume appropriate for afternoon visits. The bodice is decorated with matching silk braid and a green tint silk fringe and tassels. A blue silk ribbon belt with two 25 inch long decorative panels with blue silk, silk braid, ruched silk ribbon, silk tassels and fringe. Most of the gathers of the skirt are to the back as was the fashion of this time.

Worn with the French silk dress is a pair of blue leather boots that lace up the sides with the original laces. They have a scalloped top edge with a small one and a half inch heel. They are lined in white linen.

A finely woven black straw circular hat is featured without a crown [the top part of the hat that sticks up]. It is from the c.1865-70 period. It illustrates the revival of 18th century peasant or country styles that were popular in the late 1860s.

The young child is dressed in a 'whitework' dress that is lavishly embroidered with 'broderie anglais'. Small designs are cut out of the fabric and the edges are embroidered to creat wonderful patterns. The front bodice and skirt have added tucks. Worn with the lace dress is a rare Civil War era young girl's hat made of natural color straw. It is decorated with the original royal blue ribbons. It is oval in shape.