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Susan de Guardiola

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A Victorian Fancy Dress Ball, New Haven, Connecticut (Saturday, March 24, 2012)

Enjoying the descriptions and illustrations of fancy dress costumes posted here? Now's your chance to try it for yourself! On Saturday, March 24th, in New Haven, Connecticut, there will be a fancy dress ball in the style of the 1880s, featuring live music, Victorian dancing, refreshments made from historical recipes,... Continue reading

Posted Mar 7, 2012 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(Back to school time with an Edwardian schoolboy costume, which was probably an easy fancy dress choice for a young boy who could simply use his own school clothes or uniform. Yes, despite the long hair, that's a boy.) Straw hat; blue and white or red and white striped blouse;... Continue reading

Posted Sep 6, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(A marvel of Victorian engineering, the Suez Canal opened in 1869 and affected both trade patterns and politics, with the resultant ease of access for Europeans to parts of Africa enabling a new wave of colonization efforts during the 1880s. Apparently its impact was such that even a decade after... Continue reading

Posted Sep 2, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Elizabethan Serving Maid

(Here's one of those costumes fondly considered "historical" -- an Elizabethan maid wearing an 18th-century mobcap, 19th-century corsetry, a hint of a bustle, and a very upper-class ruff.) SERVING MAID (Elizabethan Period). Short fawn-colored stuff gown, made with pointed bodice; tight sleeves with stuffed epaulettes; ruff at throat; muslin cap;... Continue reading

Posted Aug 30, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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A Masquerade Dance Card, 1900

Here's an interesting bit of fancy dress ephemera: an actual dance card from a masquerade ball given in Wisconsin on February 10, 1900. Scans of the cover and inside are at left; click to enlarge. This is a lady's card, with men's names filled in for the first half of... Continue reading

Posted Aug 29, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(Here's a costume from Greek mythology that doesn't follow the classic style, instead using a witchy black-and-red color scheme and adding wing sleeves and a ruff!) Scarlet robe with wing sleeves lined with black,and a full, wide ruff of scarlet lined with black high about the neck. A large poppy... Continue reading

Posted Aug 23, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(A historical costume for the gentleman who doesn't care to expose his legs in tights!) A robe of cardinal-red goods made in domino style and trimmed with ermine, and worn over a lace gown. A red mitre is worn, and a scepter is carried. Source: Masquerade and Carnival. New York:... Continue reading

Posted Aug 19, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Freemason (Female)

(This costume description predates the Co-Freemasonry movement that began on the European continent in the 1880s. It is probably meant as a futuristic fantasy costume, rather like the Footwoman of the Future.) FREEMASON, FEMALE. Black velvet dress; white satin Watteau sacque, trimmed with swansdown; swansdown ruff at throat; hair powdered;... Continue reading

Posted Aug 16, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Opening with tableaux

(How to open a fancy dress ball conducted in a large public space: with tableaux vivants or "living pictures": groups of costumed attendees posed in scenes.) Before touching upon costumes, it may be well to add the information concerning the general programme of a masquerade or fancy ball which is... Continue reading

Posted Aug 12, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(For ladies who want to dress up as a dog, complete with puppy ears. One really wishes they had included an illustration for this one!) Skirt of black tulle covered with small ruches to represent the curly coat; corselet bodice of black velvet. Silver bracelet on the right arm; a... Continue reading

Posted Aug 9, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Fairy Godmother

(This costume is intended for a young girl and is a simplified version of women's "fairy godmother" costumes.) Skirt of amber cashmere or veiling. Apron of white silk trimmed round with the eyes from peacock plumes. Pointed body of satin with a basque skirt cut in points. The body is... Continue reading

Posted Aug 5, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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The Classic Domino

(Here's a set of descriptions of the classic domino, a robe-like costume which dates back to the masquerades of the 18th century and is more associated with masquerades (masked balls) than fancy dress events, but still seem to have turned up occasionally. The English in particular appear to have continued... Continue reading

Posted Aug 2, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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For Fair-Haired Women

(Paralleling the list of costumes for brunettes, here are some fancy dress suggestions for fair-haired women from various editions of Ardern Holt's manual.) From the second edition in 1880: For FAIR WOMEN, among others, the following are suitable: -- Arctic Maiden, Air, Bride of Lammermoor, Aurora, White Lady of Avenel,... Continue reading

Posted Jul 29, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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A Victorian Makeup Kit

(A list of period makeup materials, as a matter of historical interest. Modern makeup is much easier to use and on the skin! And yes, "émail" is French for enamel!) It may not be amiss just here to give a list of "make-up" materials such as are used for theatricals... Continue reading

Posted Jul 29, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Powder vs. Wigs

(Thoughts on whether to powder the hair or wear a wig for a Poudré ball or costume, and how to go about each method.) Contrary to the advice given by Ardern Holt, Lucie Armstrong felt that a wig was better than powdering one's own hair: The way to powder the... Continue reading

Posted Jul 26, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(Continuing with the theme of summer sports, women's increased participation in golf is reflected in the evolution of this costume over two succeeding editions, spanning nine years, of the same fancy dress manual.) In the 1887 description, the costume is meant to portray a golf course or game, with the... Continue reading

Posted Jul 26, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(Like the boys' Brownie costume, here's one for men that looks more fierce than amusing! It would be easy to find a similar modern costume through a rental shop or theater.) Costume of red and yellow satin or sateen, half of each color and alternated as depicted in the illustration;... Continue reading

Posted Jul 22, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Ruth, the Pirate Maid-of-All-Work

(Inspired, of course, by the popular Gilbert & Sullivan operetta!) RUTH, THE PIRATE MAID-OF-ALL-WORK (Pirates of Penzance). This costume is suited to a dark beauty; a head-dress of red drapery and coins; red and black short skirt, with much gold trimming; low black gold-bedizened bodice, and gold armlets, with chain... Continue reading

Posted Jul 19, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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In the Gloaming

(Here's a more elaborate version -- in title as well as detail -- of the costume for "Dusk" from the same manual. Note that if you're "in the gloaming", you get to have a bat and an owl!) GLOAMING, IN THE. Dress of grey tulle, or muslin, or gauze over... Continue reading

Posted Jul 17, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(One of the most recognizable historical figures for a man, and very suitable for a shorter gentleman in particular! Click to enlarge the image.) White trousers; fawn-colored coat with heavy gold braid; purple sash and white felt hat trimmed with gold braid. Gauntlet gloves and spurs on boots. Source: Masquerades,... Continue reading

Posted Jul 8, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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Tennis and Badminton

(Here's an increasingly elaborate and ridiculous sport-themed costume for women -- with a modern interpretation as well!) The 1887 edition of Ardern Holt's fancy dress manual lists costume ideas under both "Tennis, lawn" and "Lawn tennis and badminton": TENNIS, LAWN. Short plain skirt of grass-green satin, slightly gathered at the... Continue reading

Posted Jul 6, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(A brownie costume for a boy or a group of boys that's more creepy than charming.) This costume is of brown cloth with yellow bands, buttons and cap trimming. Yellow stockings and brown pointed slippers. Where a number of "Brownies" are to appear, the costume may be made of khaki,... Continue reading

Posted Jun 28, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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The Seasons Quadrille

(Here are descriptions of costumes for a Fancy Quadrille carried out by a matched set of eight ladies and gentlemen. A subset of the costume descriptions could also be used for a group of men or women or for a couple.) THE SEASONS QUADRILLE SPRING. -- A very Young Lady.... Continue reading

Posted Jun 24, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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The Ghost of a Belle

(Here's an interesting twist on Poudré costume that can incorporate a white dress of any era, provided the wearer is willing to powder her hair!) Any style of costume in white. Powdered hair, white slippers and stockings. The face should also be powdered to look very white, or a white... Continue reading

Posted Jun 21, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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(Costumes representing cards, dice, and games of chance were found in many fancy dress manuals. Here's one apparently inspired by the game of poker, complete with a fan made of cards and feathers. Click the image to enlarge.) Box-plaited skirt of white with appliqué or painted cards and colored discs... Continue reading

Posted Jun 14, 2011 at Historical Fancy Dress

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