Women's fashion in the 1800s is a great choice if you want to dress up for Halloween, cosplay, a theater production or just for fun.A pioneer-themed look is simpler and better suited for roughing it on the frontier than a classic Victorian look.You are sure to attract attention if you go with any look.
Step 1: There is a corset that you should wear.
It is easy to find and buy corsets for your own Victorian look thanks to their resurgence in popularity.For the most historically accurate look, go for a Victorian-style, S-shaped silhouette.Specialty outlets have corsets online.Don't lace it as tightly as you can just yet, if you're trying on a corset for the first time.Allow your body to get used to the small constriction.Leave it for about 2 hours.If your body doesn't feel right, take the corset off and try again tomorrow.Contrary to popular belief, most Victorian women didn't wear their corsets very tightly.They are not required if you choose to wear a corset.Simply fit it so that it is comfortable around your chest and waist.
Step 2: Wear a full-length dress with a bustle.
The exact style of the dress that women wore in the 1800s changed throughout the century.If you want a more general costume, go with a long, full skirt of plain fabric in a solid color.If you can, layer your dress with a bustle.Purchase a full-length, long-sleeved dress online and fill it out with petticoats, which you can buy or make yourself, for a simple take on an 1800s dress.You can pair a full-length shirt with a plain shirt for the same effect.Women wore bell-shaped skirts in the late 19th century.The front of the skirt became flatter in the late 1800s as emphasis shifted to the back.The area of dresses with high collar and sloping necklines stayed the same throughout the 1800s.
Step 3: Take a pair of gloves with you.
Any Victorian-era costume needs long, elegant gloves.Go for a creamy white color with lace, or match the color of your gloves to your dress.You can buy gloves at party stores.Shorter-length gloves will work if you can't find a longer pair.
Step 4: Pull on old fashioned stockings.
Victorian women wore long stockings.A pair that reaches at least to your knee is made of cotton or wool.Women often went for pairs with pretty embroidery or interesting patterns, so you can add a pop of subtle color to your look.Simple stripes, small flowers, or even a bolder plaid are old-fashioned patterns.Try to find one that matches the color of your dress.Most clothing stores have thigh-high stockings.
Step 5: Go with black shoes or boots.
Victorian women wore flat-heeled black lace-up boots that reached to their mid-calves.In the last half of the century, shoes with pointed and rounded toes started to come into fashion.You should choose the style that looks best with your outfit.Most shoe stores have lace-up leather boots that look quite accurate with the right dress and accessories.For a later-1800s look, you can go with shorter, heeled boots.
Step 6: Take your hair out and style it into an updo.
Keep the middle part straight and use a curling iron to make ringlets.Take most of them out of a bun and let a few trail down around your face.You can leave 2 thick chunks on the side of your hair if you put it in a bun.Pull them back towards the bun and make loops.Victorian women were fond of experimenting with braids and styles like crimping.Straight hair left down is a good look for younger girls, but women over the age of 20 should always have an updo.The Victorians did not think it was appropriate for older women to have their hair down.
Step 7: You can complete the look with a decorated hat.
Large hats were all the rage in Victorian times because women wanted to keep their skin protected from the sun.You can buy these big, decorative hats online or make your own by decorating a light straw hat with ribbon and cloth flowers.
Step 8: Accessorize with a fan.
Simple jewelry, like a locket hung on a ribbon or a classic charm bracelet, can be used to accent your look.Pick up a light, Victorian-style fan or make your own from pretty paper or cloth.Victorian women used a parasol to protect themselves from the sun.The Victorians thought that wearing very visible makeup was inappropriate.Add a bit of blush to your cheeks, and a subtle lipstick and eyeshadow, by simply powdering your face.
Step 9: Pair a button-down shirt with a skirt.
Pioneer women wore clothes that were more practical than their cosmopolitan counterparts in the city.To create an authentic pioneer look, buy or make a full-length skirt that reaches 1–2 inches above the floor and wear a button-down, long-sleeve top to match.For the most historically accurate style, look for dark colors.If you want to get more creative, choose a lighter blue color or an old-fashioned pattern, like flowers or birds, which a pioneer woman might have worn on a special occasion.A plain long-sleeve or three-quarter-length shirt will work if you don't have a button-down shirt.It is not necessary to pair your skirt with a petticoat, as pioneer women needed to move around more easily, so they wore less fabric beneath their skirt than Victorians.
Step 10: Don't wear a corset if you want to look more outdoorsy.
Some pioneer women wore corsets, but they weren't needed in the city.You can find a Victorian-style corset online if you want to try it.Don't lace it as tightly as you can just yet, if you're trying on a corset for the first time.Allow your body to get used to the small constriction.Leave it for about 2 hours.If your body doesn't feel right, take the corset off and try again tomorrow.
Step 11: An apron over a skirt.
Practical frontier women needed aprons.Tie one around your waist in a white or cream shade, or use a pattern or color to offset your skirt.There is a style that comes to your mid-calves.You can find long aprons online or make your own by cutting a piece of fabric that is the same width as the skirt.Take the top edge and cinch it down to half its length.To make a waist tie, sew a ribbon to the apron's top edge.
Step 12: There are thick stockings and plain leather boots to pull on.
Pioneer women usually chose comfortable, flat-heeled boots that reached to their mid-calf, which allowed for easy movement.They won't be seen unless you show them off, so have fun with it.Leather boots and high stockings can be found in shoe stores and online.
Step 13: You should braid your hair.
Add braids on the side of your head or around the bun to mix up your hairstyle, or keep it simple with a classic low bun.Whatever hairstyle you decide to go with, create a down-the-middle part.Simply braid your hair down your back.Two braids is a good option for younger girls.
Step 14: You can make or buy a bonnet.
A bonnet, which would have been used to protect from the sun and keep flyaway hairs tamed down, is a must have for your pioneer woman look.A simple cloth bonnet will match the rest of your outfit.If you want to make your own, you can look up a sewing instructions online or tie a handkerchief or bandana in place of a bonnet.