Costumes – Civil War Era Evening Wear
Ladies’ ball gowns – Usually made from satin, polished cotton, taffeta and other fine fabrics in colors and patterns appropriate for the period, the time of day, and the woman’s age. Trim on ball gowns can be satin ribbon, lace, flowers and other elegant touches appropriate for the period. Evening gowns have lower necklines or off the shoulder styles with short sleeves.
- Hat/Hairstyle
- Hair is worn up with flowers or a lace hairpiece.
- Top
- Period-style bodice
- Corset or waist cincher
- Chemise (optional)
- Bottom
- Period-style skirt
- Hoop skirt 100”-140” 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) (optional)
- Fan (optional)
- Cape for cooler weather (optional)
Men’s evening wear – Men’s evening wear should be made from fine fabrics such as fine cotton or cotton blend for the shirt, silk for the tie, brocade for the vest, and serge for the coat and pants. Men may also choose to wear a military dress uniform from the Civil War era.
- Hat/Hairstyle
- Top hat (optional)
- Top
- White undershirt
- White shirt (tuxedo style)
- Period-style black tie
- Period-style vest
- Period-style black coat
- Bottom
- Black pants
- Feet
- Black socks
- Black dance shoes
- Accessories
- Gloves
- Period-style jewelry (optional)