This article is for any girl who would like to show their fascination with the Victorian Era.
The Victorian Era
Know the basics of the era. The Victorian period lasted from June 1837 to January 1901 (but the style didn't end until 1912), a time in the late 1830s and early 1900s, taking over about two thirds of the nineteenth century. Over the 63 years of the era, the fashion (as well as many other things) had changed drastically. The Victorian Era's name originated from Queen Victoria's reign.
If you have been inspired by your "Victorian" style home, then study the characteristics. Learn who lived in it and take your inspirations directly from your home or findings.
Fashion
Know the basics. Ladies, remember, their clothing covered their WHOLE body. Even the glimpse of an ankle is a stereotype "no-no."
Wear cloaks, not coats! Instead of coats, women wore shawls or cloaks when cold.
Know the length of skirts. This one is very emphasized. As young as 4 years old girls must cover their knee and sixteen year old girls must cover their ankles. If you are in that age range, you have free to customize your skirts within that range.
Know the exceptions. One exception to full body coverings. Ball gowns or formal attire. You may show your shoulders and/or breast line.
Consider bustles and corsets. Many people think corsets can have the power to crush your internal organs and lower sets of ribs, but this is a myth. See Bernadette Banner's videos on them. Bustles were designed to hold the skirt up and a very modernized and simple way to make one is to tie a pillow with a belt under your skirt.
Wear gloves. Especially with lace, these gloves are a great way to show you love Victorian times. It really doesn't matter if its white or black, but black is the most Victorian-looking. For evening dresses with short sleeves, wear long gloves that are longer than your elbows.
Wear brooches. Brooches are very Victorian. While people from Victorian time mostly wore ones containing plain silver or pearls, emerald is accepted, too.
Add a stylish hat. Hats make the look. If you find a very nice looking antique hat, buy it. You can wear it! It makes the look.
Stay away from bright colors.
Focus on pastels and dark colors.
Looks
Look as pale as possible. In the Victorian era, pale people were considered beautiful.
Use either a very light pink or very dark red lipstick. These create the illusion that you are pale.
If dying your hair is an option, do it. Dark colors like jet black, black-brown, or dark brown are very essential to this look. If you can't it is okay, you just need to emphasize the rest of the look. However, it was more fashionable at the time to have lighter coloured hair.
Do your hair up, but try to hide the pins or elastic.
Keep your eyes wide open. Victorian ladies were always paying attention.
Avoid makeup as much as possible or make it as natural as possible. During Victorian times it was considered very vulgar to 'paint' (as wearing makeup was called). It was usually a mark of a woman of ill repute.
Acting
Mind your manners. A Victorian girl is mannered, smart, poised, and simply just nice.
Walk straight with your head held high. This helps you achieve your "poised" goal.
Speak with manners. Always say, "Please" and "Thank you" along with other mannered phrases.
Be nice to everyone, and anyone. Even if that person isn't particularly nice to you, go out of your way to be nice to everyone.
Pay attention in school. Take the time to take notes in EVERY subject.
Stay organized. You can't be poised without being organized.
Always be humble. If you are rewarded, take your reward with modesty.
Hobbies and Pastime Activities
Learn an elegant language like French.
Play piano. It is a hobby that has been around for a long time.
Read Classic Novels. Victorian picks like vampire love stories are okay, but stay away from childish books. There are different classes of speech in each novel. Take Oliver Twist as an example. Oliver uses proper king's English, whilst the other characters speak cockney slang.
Practice your handwriting.. Calligraphy is great, because you can learn Victorian styles of writing.
Write. Write short books and simple stories. If you can, try to write a novel.
If you would like to modernize a bit, take up photography. But not with digital. Ask your parents or buy yourself a real camera that requires a darkroom.
Learn about Cooking. Cooking is a skill that most girls were required to have back then.
Always take board games and reading over electronics.
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