Victorian Fancy Dress Historical & Fun

Queen of Hearts Elite Collection Adult Costume

When Alexandrina Victoria became the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 20 June 1837 she heralded in what has become known as the Victorian Age.

During her reign as the Queen which lasted until her death on 22 January 1901, the Victorian period was an era of great advances and growth.

The United Kingdom evolved politically, scientifically, and made great strides in industry and military growth.

Moreover, Victorian fashion and Victorian fancy dress emerged and was prominent throughout the period.

Deluxe Enchanting Queen of Hearts Adult Costume

Even though the Queen of Hearts is associated with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, it is also stated that the Queen of Heart’s origin is a caricature of Queen Victoria herself.

It is very well known that Queen Victoria enjoyed fancy dress.  In fact it was her interest in British history combined with her love of costume that brought about many historical themed Fancy Dress balls that were held during the 19^th century.

The Victorian fancy dress costume was considered grander than the popular masquerade costumes that predominated the prior 18^th century.  So it came to be fancy dress was all the rage and this type of dress parties were held for almost any event whether public or private.

The tradition of donning a costume to celebrate particular events has been expressed culturally throughout the world for centuries. Victorian themes where the participants wear Victorian attire are still very much in vogue today.  Events are often organized for charity, for education as well as to celebrate that bygone era.  There are even Victorian parades and festivals that take place every year where the best dressed participants win a prize. Taking a step back in time to experience Victorian times and to participate in its splendor is great entertainment.

Victorian Fancy Dress Ideas

Blue Janet Victorian Dress Costume

Satin Brocade Victorian Dress

Isabel Purple Victorian Dress Costume

Olive Annie Victorian Dress Costume

The authentic Victorian attire for women during this period consisted of a chemise or under slip, drawers or underwear, corset, lots of petticoats, two piece dress or matching skirt and bodice, stockings, shoes, hat and gloves paired with a shawl.

White Jacquered Corset

Corsets were worn by most women in Europe and North America for many centuries, and they are still are a favorite of many women today.  Corsets were made to fit a woman’s waist in sizes ranging from 18 to 42 inches, and once on they reduced a woman’s waist by many inches.

On average a woman could reduce her waist size by 3 to 4 inches – this to achieve a beautiful silhouette. During the 19th century, corsets were considered proper, appropriate and desirable.

It was in the 1870’s that ladies skirts became elaborate and full overskirts with bustles.  This type of dress needed to be paired with an underskirt that had a great deal of pleats and frills.

Here’s a Great Little Tutorial on Creating a Beautiful Victorian Updo You May Like . . .

Dickens Gentleman Costume

During the Victorian era authentic men’s fashion consisted of linen or cotton shirts with high upstanding collars or turnover collars, bow neckties, frock coats, and men often wore three-piece suits with high-buttoned sack coats paired with matching waistcoats and trousers.

Also tall top hats became very much in vogue for upper class formal wear along with dark tail coats and trousers.

Black Formal Tailsuit Jack The Ripper Costume

There is an abundant variety of Victorian attire for these events to choose from.  Depending on the occasion, you may want to dress authentically for the Victorian era, or if it is a fancy dress function you may want to dress as a colorful historical figure, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, or a charming peasant girl captivating admirers everywhere you go.

During the 1820’s Victorians would often choose to fancy dress as a character from a fictitious novel, play, or from a piece of romantic poetry.

Fancy Dress Historical Figures . . .

Pharaoh Adult Costume

Egyptian Queen Elite Adult Costume

Caesar Adult Costume

Cleopatra Elite Collection Adult Costume

Viking King Adult Plus Costume

Viking Princess Adult Plus Costume

Another popular fancy dress item was the voluminous cloak known as the Italian domino.  This cloak would cover the person completely to the ankles and would hide whatever was worn underneath it so men would often choose to pair a domino with their regular evening clothes. Women on the other hand preferred to wear a costume underneath.

Dominos were usually hooded and made of silk.  Male cloaks were mostly black or red whereas the ladies often had cloaks made to match their costumes.

Imaginative Fancy Dress Characters . . .

Burlesque Victorian Vampiress Adult Costume

Scarlet Vamptessa Deluxe Adult Costume

Harem Princess Elite Adult Costume

Tales of Old London Mrs Lovett Adult Costume

Ghostly Gent Elite Adult Plus Costume

Ghostly Lady Elite Plus Costume

Gothic Countess Nocturna Adult Costume

Also fashionable for fancy dress balls are emblematic or Victorian fancy dress costumes that are symbolic of a certain theme.

For example in Victorian times ladies would choose a costume that symbolized the Night Sky, the Morning Sun, Summer, Winter, Snow, Sea and so on. This was accomplished by the addition of a bit of stars, flowers, seashells, or other symbols to a gown and this type of dress was popular in the 1860s.

Midnight Vampiress Adult Plus Costume

Whether you are seeking authentic Victorian fancy dress attire for your function or you are looking for a fancy dress costume for another theme altogether you will be able to find the perfect outfit to ensure a memorable event.

If you are interested in exploring more about the Victorian lifestyle, you may like Victorian Home and Garden.

Another interesting historical fashion site is Fashion Plates Costume Plates in Fashion History.

Eras of Elegance gives a nice overview of Victorian daily life.

And Victorian Cooking anyone?