Costumes – Civil War Era Daywear
Ladies’ day dresses – Usually made from calico and other light cotton fabrics in colors and patterns appropriate for the period, the time of day, and the woman’s age. Trim on day dresses is generally simple braid or bias strips made from coordinating fabric. Day dresses have higher necklines and long sleeves to provide protection from the sun.
- Hat/Hairstyle
- Hair is worn up, sometimes in a snood (crocheted hairnet)
- Straw hat/bonnet (optional)
- Top
- Period-style bodice, preferred or long sleeve white blouse
- Corset or waist cincher
- Chemise (optional)
- Bottom
- Period-style skirt
- Hoop skirt 90”-105” circumference
- Extra petticoat over hoop skirt if hoop lines show through the top skirt
- Mid-calf-length pantaloons
- Feet
- White tights or knee socks
- Period-style boots or leather-soled dance shoes
- Accessories
- Gloves
- Period-style jewelry (optional)
- Reticule (small matching handbag) or small handbasket (optional)
- Fan (optional)
- Parasol (optional)
- Waist-length cape for cooler weather (optional)
Men’s daywear – Men’s daywear should be made from rougher fabrics such as medium-weight broadcloth or muslin for the shirt and pinwale corduroy for the pants. Men may also choose to wear military attire from the Civil War era.
- Hat/Hairstyle
- Amish-style straw hat, preferred
- Top
- White undershirt
- White shirts with wide sleeve
- Black period-style suspenders
- Bottom
- Black pants
- Feet
- Black socks
- Black dance shoes
- Accessories
- none