Garbing but not entirely accurate

[Jessi]

YES!

"If you are so offended, then feel free to run over there (points to nearest merchant) and by me all new garb."

[Betty Munro]

I am afraid to admit, I really don't agree with everyone here ...
I think if one attends a period event in garb, they should either try to garb the period, or come in mundanes.  Fairies, barbarians and GaP pyrates have become part of the accepted period for Ren Faire wear, but Medieval, Renaissance or the 3 listed above really don't "fit" the Victorian era, which is what Dickens is shooting for ...
If I showed up at a Civil War re-enactment dressed as a pirate wench, I would expect a few comments.  Personally, that expectation is enough for me to leave that period garb at home ...
That opinion shared, it is just my opinion, and I would not share it unless I felt it was asked about.

If you are comfortable to go to Dickens in Ren Garb, then do it.  And if someone feels the need to snark about your choice of attire, then to hell with them.  I wouldn't let a fairy flitting around Dickens ruin my day, nor if a wench or a pirate showed up.

[Birdinthelocker]

Betty, No worries! everyone is entitled to get out their point of view and yours is valid.

I, as a Capt'n Jack impersonator would be lynched if I went to a pirate reenactment of any sort... so I dont and never would go to a serious re-enactment as a movie pirate however, when it comes to festivals that are open to the public to dress up you are no longer a strict re-enactment (Otherwise we wouldn't have a lot of the fine attendees that we have at TRF and other festivals in the area)

When it comes to Dickens I plan to go in Steampunk garb which IS victorian but, 'with a twist' but, I certainly wouldn't blink at going as Jack either... I'm just not gonna.. 

but, I respect your point of view and most esspecially that you don't let little things ruin your good time

[Taffy Saltwater]

One of the problems w/Victoriana is that fashion-wise it covers a lot of territory, from bustles, to the "natural" look, to bustles again, and on to the Belle Epoque of the late 1890's and where steam punk tends to be based.  I have some garb that is fine for the Belle Epoque, but would be "off" for the Dickens time frame; however, if I wanted to go in my admittedly off decade garb, then I would attend in such.

Thinking about it, though, if you replaced your chemise w/a high necked or librariarn/pussycat style blouse and added a prim little jacket and tiny hat you could probably modify your regular renwear to a somewhat Victorian style.  Do you have a hoop skirt?

Go and have fun.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Something that I would need to consider before going to an event dressed in another era's garb:  If I knew that I was going to get stared at and maybe had remarks made to me about "inappropriate" garb, I would really have to really think whether I'd be too uncomfortable about that to enjoy myself. 

Personally, I probably wouldn't do it, because I know that I wouldn't be happy in that situation, and would spend more time worrying about it than enjoying myself.  That's just me.  But if it doesn't bother you, then I'd say go for it.

[Zardoz]

Nobody is going to challenge any garb at Dickens on the Strand!
People pick and choose styles from the 1830's through 1900, and not just England! You'll see all kinds of stuff there, Dickens characters, Pirates (the first settlers on Galveston) , Sweeny Todd, cowboys and saloon girls, Civil war and European soldiers, Santa Claus and Elves, you name it!  Some people put a lot of money and effort into their garb, but most don't sweat it, just mix up something that looks "1890s" and go with it.

Look at this motley crew;



Sandy on the left, is wearing one of her renfair skirts, a vest from her closet, and a white blouse she sewed some lace on the night before. My wife, on the right , is recycling a bridesmaids dress, she put some festive trim on it and made a cape and underskirt out of some red and green fabric. the hat is a kid's Easter hat from Walmart, I painted it black with a rattle can.

Just like with faire, it's more fun if you participate by dressing up, the people of Galveston are happy to see you, and you'll get in for half price.




http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Dickens_Photo_Gallery/index.html

Or you could come as the King!


edit...

Almost forgot, R/F Meetup at the 2 o'clock Rogues show, Windsor Castle Stage, near 22nd & Strand 2:00 PM.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Thanks for the info, Zardoz.  To paraphrase the old commercial, things go better with garb - as long as you're having a good time.

[Adriana Rose]

Ya know if you feel pretty and you are comforable wear what you want to wear who cares what others say.

Thats my view on things so have fun and take lotsa pictures!

[tiberiusflynn]

LOL, have any of these snooty playtrons ever been to a Ren Faire??? I mean, just at TRF alone there's so much anachronistic garb around its ridiculous. you'd go crazy trying to sort out the periods....I mean, Scottish kilt wearing Imperial Stormtroopers?? Capt. Kirks, Musketeers!!!

I mean, during German weekend there was a guy dressed up as Nazi SS Officer.......

When attending as a patron to any dress up event, especially in a ren faire-esque environment, I think its all about the fun of it. You can be a period as you want or un-period as you want I figure as long as you're not wearing something incredibly offensive or too terribly indecent....

[BLAKDUKE]

If I may relate this indelicate story to all, feel free to use it as you will.

There were 3 southern ladies in the maternity ward at a hospital.  They had all had their infants and at around nursing time the 3 were together and started to discuss what their husbands had given them on there wedding day.  It was obvious to anyone looking in that 2 of the ladies were rather well to do while the 3rd was rather plain.

The first lady said her husband had given her a mink coat, and the third lady said (in her best southern accent) "that's nice, that's very very nice"

The second lady said her husband took her on an around the world cruise, and the third lady again said  "that's nice, that's very very nice"

The two ladies than asked the 3rd lady what she had gotten.  She smiled very sweetly and said that her husband had sent her to charm school, whereby the first 2 ladies scoffed at her and "Charm School?".

The 3rd lady then explaind that before she went to charm school, whenever anyone said something offensive to her she would simply say F... You, whereas now she simply says "that's nice, that's very very nice".     

[Tipsy Gypsy]

Another handy Southernism- "Bless your heart"

[Dinobabe]

A little girl at Lowe's today was wearing a Snow White costume (today is December 5...).

[Taffy Saltwater]

Go, Snow White! & Huzzah to the parental unit for letting her express herself!

[tiberiusflynn]

I've heard of more then just a few people going to Dickens in their faire garb.....but i've never been to dickens, (sad, as I live so close....)so I dunno..

[dragongirl]

Well, not for anything, my re-enactment group has saying, you only need to create the illusion of an era.  We are primarily a pirate group but once a year we are hired to do a Victorian Christmas celebration for at least 3 weeks.  Since most of us do not have Victorian style clothes we try and find items that we already have that are simple and evoke the feel of a victorian event.  Case in point I wear my black snood, a black and white floral high neck shirt that I close at the collor with a brooch, my black ren skirt and black lace-up irish overdress that I lace from the inside(don't ask it involves teeth and very nimble fingers.) and tuck in the laces.  Over this I wear my black hooded cloak, black leather gloves and use my old black muff from when I was a kid.  When asked I am the widow of a sailor.  The guys wear their black wool overcoats with wool fingerless gloves, top hats and long red scarfs. 
Except for the 20th century, Fashions were all basicly variations on the same theme and could be mixed and match to work for different eras, especially for us ladies.  Now if someone starts to snark you about what you are wearing just coolly look them up and down and in your best haughty voice say " Pardon me, but this is the absolute latest fashion from the Worth Fahsion house."  Then toss your head and walk away!