Civil War garb

[captmarga]

http://extantgowns.blogspot.com/search/label/1860s  <- a link to all the extant 1860's gowns on my blog.  You might want to look at the 1850's as well.   

There really isn't a way to do mid-Victorian that will "transcend" through other eras and still look right. 

Every period has their specialities, but as such mid-19th century fashion was inspired by earlier styles - the so-called "neo" styles, just like in architecture and painting. So when Charles Garnier designed the neo-baroque Parisian opera house, women dressed in a neo-baroque style, and it was of course very fashionable. The big crinoline dresses were more often than not borrowing elements from Baroque dresses, while the later bustle dresses was greatly inspired by the Mantua, as you might see here:



There were differences in construction and fabric preferences. But the silhouettes and the fancy little details often match. So if you would happen to have a period Baroque dress around, you can style it up to look Victorian. If not, I do like the idea of a blouse and a skirt. It's also perfectly period, or something people will recognize as period. Maybe a cameo around the neck, a fitting hat, some lacing/buttoning boots, and a huge shawl if it's cold, and I'd say you're there.

Charles Worth, who designed in Paris during this era, admitted freely that he drew inspiration from previous eras.  He copied the dress designs that he felt were wonderful in previous times and recreated them into masterpieces in his own time.

Marga

[cowgrrl]

You gals have been so helpful. I greatly appreciate it. One more question:  I'm ordering an off the shoulder dress with a full skirt that will require a hoop. I have to give a skirt length. Do I just measure from my waist to ankle & assume she will give the allowance for the hoop or what?

[Dinobabe]

You gals have been so helpful. I greatly appreciate it. One more question:  I'm ordering an off the shoulder dress with a full skirt that will require a hoop. I have to give a skirt length. Do I just measure from my waist to ankle & assume she will give the allowance for the hoop or what?

There are different styles and lengths of hoop.  Each one requires a different skirt length which is longer than your waist to floor.  You need to get the hoop first.  If you already have one for Ren just use it.  In that case the skirt length would be the same as an existing skirt you use with that hoop.  Otherwise you can make your own or just buy one off ebay for about $12 (search for "hoop skirt").  I would get one with at least 3 hoops.