These are the recommendations to appear period correct but not required. The Civilian Advisor will help you with your clothing and the crew does have dresses for you to borrow.
Hair:
Medium or long hair must be parted down the center and controlled low at the back of the head.
Short hair must be parted down the center kept controlled to hide bangs.
Fake hair or wigs can be used as long as they are in good taste and the same hair color as your hair.
If you color your hair, keep the roots the same color as the rest of your hair please.
Short hair must be parted down the center kept controlled to hide bangs.
Fake hair or wigs can be used as long as they are in good taste and the same hair color as your hair.
If you color your hair, keep the roots the same color as the rest of your hair please.
The Civilian Advisor will help you with your hair to find an appropriate hairstyle.
Head Covering:
A bonnet or hat should be worn at reenactments, unless you do not own one and are not able to borrow one. This is not only for period impression, but it will also protect you from a nasty sunburn. A straw hat will also work if it is in a period style. These can sometimes be found a resale shops, just do your research before you go.
Hats/Bonnets do not have to be worn at balls or period dances. (Most women prefer to wear their hair styled with ribbons, flowers, or jewels in their hair for dances.)
If no Hat/Bonnet is available to you, a Snood or hairnet may be worn as long as it is in good taste. (Either brown or black, or a color matching your dress, no neon colors please.)
Undergarments/Underpinnings:
(They're called "foundation" garments for a reason!)
Don’t worry about the things you do not have. You can make do with other things.
Chemise - Necessary when you are wearing a corset. It will protect your corset and dress from you and you from your corset. Trust us, corsets tend to rub if you are not wearing a Chemise. For this layer I recommend your regular under garments and a light weight tank top/t-shirt, depending on the weather. You will want something to wear to cover yourself if you need to ask for help zipping or buttoning the back of your dress.
Split crotch drawers or Bloomers/ Pantalets -. For both modesty and convenience. (Remember, if your hoop tilts up, everyone will see your modern day underwear/thong. Bloomers keep them hidden for your own privacy. Split
Corset - RECOMMENDED. It is obvious when you are not wearing one. Although not required, you will find that most Historically Correct Period patterns are fitted to a corset and thus would look funny (and not fit properly) if you were not wearing a corset underneath. This is a moderately expensive item. In our crew you are allowed to use your regular under garments.
Also, we do not require you to "suck it in" as they did in the Civil War. This is the 21st century, give yourself breathing room!
Therapy note: Corsets have been known to provide back support for women who have bad backs, especially lower backs. Recommended: A corset that is long enough to come down over your hips. This prevents boning from digging into your thighs and stomach when seated and also provides better back support as well as slimming the waist for those of us who wish to look a bit thinner!
Hoopskirt - REQUIRED!!! This is what gives the Civil War Era southern belle her bell shape! These can usually be found at Goodwill. The crew does have some that you can borrow.
The only exception to this is when wearing a campdress/workdress where hoops are not recommended for working/cooking around the camp fire.
Keep hoops about 6" above the ground to prevent tripping over your hem.
90" to 115" circumference is a reasonable size range for most women. (5 or 6 boned-hoop for average women. 4 boned if you are under 5 1/2 feet tall)
When worn, an Under petticoat is OPTIONAL and bloomers/pantalets are highly recommended. (If you have split-crotch drawers, you will definately want an Under petticoat!)
At least one Over petticoat over a hoop is required to mask the lines of the hoop (or for flouncing/ruffles to be sewn over the bones so they don't show through your skirt) Either one is permitted.
Corded petticoats - OPTIONAL. Made of heavy cotton muslin or duct canvas and rope. An alternative to hoops for working impressions.
Thigh High Stockings - REQUIRED. Plain white, black, or other solid color. Striped stockings of a very narrow stripe are acceptable or a fashionable young lady or child. Black Trouser socks can be used for stockings.
Being as we are out in a field where horses, cannons, and infantrymen are kicking up dust and dirt, we HIGHLY recommend getting black stockings so as to hide the dirt and making washing easier. Stockings are thicker than pantyhose and do not tear as easily, but do allow your legs to breath, unlike socks. Please do not wear modern pantyhose. Stockings will prevent your shoes from rubbing blisters onto your feet!
Stocking bands or Garters are also recommended to hold the stocking in place on your leg so you are not constantly pulling your stockings up all day long. If you choose to wear stockings.
Socks are recommended for late fall and winter reenactments since they are warmer.
Dresses
The crew has several dresses you may borrow. We do not promise anything fancy but it will be period correct.
These are the recommendations if you choose to find you own dress.
One-piece dresses or Bodices and Skirts are REQUIRED. We recommend the two piece as it is easier to get dressed into and allows a bit more movement when worn. Also allowed: white blouses with jackets, vests, tea bodices, swiss bodices, zouve jackets, etc. with skirt.
Dresses should be well fitted and made of a period appropriate pattern and style.
A narrow white collar is RECOMMENDED. A detachable collar that will fit all your dress bodices is a good idea. If you are a lace-hound and enjoy shopping for collars, feel free to put an attached collar on each dress. Collars are usually white, but ecru/cream colored are also allowed. Black is for mourning.
Low necklines should be reserved for night balls and period dances only.
Women were supposed to be modest during the daytime. Showing cleavage at anytime is not acceptable. Please use good sense. We want to look like respectable women and reenactors, not General Hooker's hookers. (Unless you are portraying a hooker or can-can girl)
Avoid obvious synthetic fabrics and trims. (No nylon, rayon, spandex.) Recommend: 100% Cotton, Cotton Muslin, Polished Cotton, 80% Cotton-20% Polyester, 100% Wool, Chiffon, Taffeta, Jaquarde, Silk, Velvet, Satin.
Zippers are NOT recommended. Buttons, Hooks 'n Eyes and Snaps are a better way to appear Period Correct.
FOOTWEAR
Reproduction shoes or Granny boots are RECOMMENDED. These can be purchased on eBay, from Sutlers, or other reenactors. Goodwill is a good place to find shoes that will work. Black leather or fake leather is recommended. No polished black shoes.Your shoes must lace up (no velcro) and should come to just above the ankle. Remember you will be walking around in these shoes all day long and probably wearing the same shoes to the ball/dance as well. You should select black boots or shoes with very low heels and low, blunt toes. For the ball black flats or Mary Janes that fit your foot well can be worn. Make sure they are comfortable to walk or stand in for long periods of time.
Also Recommended: Shoe padding or arch supports. A couple layers in the bottom of your shoe can save your feet and ward off backpain.
No speed laces, thick hiking boots, modern sports/tennis shoes or canvas shoes please. We do not want anything that screams "21st century."
Bare feet are not recommend as there are sharp objects sometimes found in the fields. A current Tetnus Shot IS recommended before attending events.
Accessories (Optional)
Parasols- black or white acceptable. No Battenberg Lace- Battenberg came out in 1901!
Gloves- Full gloves for dances are allowed, netted mitts or hand gloves are acceptable for tea parties and church services.
Hankies. You need them, lots of them, as they are one of the most useful tools of a lady. Wave good-bye to your soldier boy and then wipe that tear. You can "blood" stain them with blackberry give it to your soldier for stanching his wounds. Test for gentlemen around you by dropping your hankie. Nice plain white linen hankies, hankies with white lace or tatting, or if you are in mourning a one inch black edging. They are cheap; get lots and share with your friends.
Aprons- Pinner or waist style are acceptable. Recommended if you are doing a lot of cooking around the campfire as aprons often serve as a hot-mitt for removing pots from the campfire grill.
Shawls- Highly recommended for all weather. Decorative ones for balls/dances, shopping.. Plain woven, woolen, knitted or crocheted ones for campfire or for warmth. Knitted or crochet "sontags" are also appropriate for warmth.
Mantles, paletots, saques, cloaks, and capes are appropriate for cool and cold weather.
Jewelry can be had at very good prices. Mostly reproduction pieces, but who wants to loose some valuable antique at a reenactment? The most important advice of course is do some research. Brooches in cameo, jet, obsidian or locket style are often seen. Decorative chains can be made into chatelaines. Bracelets, earrings and necklaces are a bit harder to find but they are out there. Read as much as you can about the topic before you shop.
Market woven basket- RECOMMENDED. Great for carrying things you buy at the Sutlers and for carrying water with you to drink! Can also hide your camera, wallet, and car keys under a hankerchief in the basket!
Around Camp
The crew has tents for us to use. The way our company is usually set up the girls are seperated from the boys with the cook on one end and the Civilian Advisor (female) on the other.
An antique-looking wooden folding or ladder-back chair can come in handy while sitting about camp, attending a talk or tea, or at the battle. You may also purchase a cloth covered wooden folding stool. Having something to sit on is highly recommended.
Even though it is not period, consider bringing a very small flashlight to use for the midnight trips to the portajohn or to locate that extra blanket in the middle of the night. You may also purchase a candle lantern or candlestick.
Food and Food Storage
We have a company cook, and what a great cook he is! However, help is always welcome.If you need special foods because of diet rescrictions please let the crew advisor know.If you chose to bring food as a snack please make sure that if it is seen outside you tent it is period appropriate (no modern wrapping, in period looking containers, muslin bags, or plain paper wrapping.) If you bring a cooler, make provisions to keep it hidden in a wooden box or under a quilt or other fabric covering. Beverages should be drunk only from period looking cups, mugs, while you are in period clothing.
Reenactments can be very hot, and you may not always be near good water, particularly when waiting for a battle to start. Bring a water gourd, historic looking bottle or jug (cork or porcelain stopper), or a Civil War reproduction canteen. Most sites provide water in large moveable tanks called water buffaloes.If you have any susceptibility to water-borne infections, you may want to bring your water container full of water from home, and bring an extra jug that can be hidden in the tent.
The NO NO List
NO makeup (other than a little rouge for your lips and powder for your face.)
NO nail polish (did not have this in the 1860's)
NO modern glasses (did not have this in the 1860's) Contact lenses can be worn. Period glasses with your prescription are highly recommended. This No No can be over looked if they are your only pair of glasses.
NO sunglasses (did not have this in the 1860's) Sunglasses were rare in this Era and usually meant the wearer either had Syphallis, elderly (had “weak eyes”) or was blind.
NO wristwatches (did not have this in the 1860's) Pocket watches on chains are RECOMMENDED though.
NO MODERN ITEMS VISABLE- (This is important as we are trying to portray an Era from 150 years ago and Spectators do not wish to see someone in Period Dress and wearing sunglasses, a ballcap, a pair of Nikes and talking on a cell phone.)
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