Victorian Living

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 • Chemise- unshaped undergarment which reaches just below the knees and has a drawstring neckline. • 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 Dress • The 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 Early 1800s

Bathing suits 1810

Bathing suits 1890s

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 coat 2. a frock coat 3. a dress coat 4. 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… • Sit upright- don’t slouch • Spread napkin across your lap • 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 fast • Never fill your food with mouth • NEVER CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN • Never make noise with your mouth or throat • Never leave the table with your mouth open

Rules: • Never soil the table cloth • Never encourage an animal to play at the table • Never use anything but a fork and a spoon to feed yourself • Never explain why certain table foods don’t agree with you • Never introduce disgusting/inappropriate topics at the table

Rules: • Never pick your teeth or put hand in mouth while eating • Never 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 food • Never 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

Victorian Living