Lara Corsets & Gowns

Historically Accurate & Inspired Garments for Women
1882-1885  Women's Clothing Guide for Historic Reenactment
 
Under Construction
 
 
 
 

The bare minimum of what you will need to get started:

  1. Corset - A decent corset gives the wearer a proper period silhouette. It is obvious and incorrect to not wear one.

  2. Chemise or thin cotton tank top - something needs to be worn beneath the corset

  3. Bustle or Padding as your specific gown requires (the early 1880s gowns may not need a bustle but by the mid 1880s require them)

  4. Petticoat -  skirts need to be supported properly right down to the hem, the lack of one becomes obvious

  5. Stockings or Knee highs - modern variations can be substituted. Bare legs would have been scandalous!

  6. Shoes or Boots - Reproduction or Vintage with the right look

  7. Gown - A day gown, walking gown, street gown, traveling gown, visiting gown or some period correct variation of Day wear

Not absolutely required but strongly suggested:

  1. Gloves - a Lady would never leave the house without them!

  2. Hat - Another item a Lady would never leave the house without.

  3. Split Drawers - When you attempt to use the Ladies' Room while wearing your corset and gown you will understand why  

Merely suggested and not at all required:

  1. Parasol - To protect your lovely complexion

  2. Fan - an item used to cool one self off with but also for subtle forms of communication

  3. Purse - For your money and keys

  4. Hair pieces and wiglets - To achieve period correct hairstyles, they used them all the time.

  5. Jewelry - Nothing extravagant for daywear but there are many appropriate options

  6. Jacket, Dolman, Coat, Cape or Wrap - To keep you warm during Winter events

  7. Muff - to keep your hands warm during Winter events
 
 
 
 
Under Garments
I begin with the foundation layer because it is of utmost importance to create the proper period silhouette.

 

The historically accurate arrangement of under garments (listed in order worn, from the skin outward)  is as follows:

  • Drawers

  • Chemise

  • Corset

  • Bustle or Tournure  - if applicable

  • Petticoat

  • Corset cover

( a "combination" undergarment can be worn in place of the shift & drawers or the corset cover & petticoat as by nature it is both.)

 

Items shown above in Bold typeface are vital for proper silhouette and in my opinion, absolutely required.

If not worn beneath your gown the lack of these items are easily noticeable.

 
 

Drawers:
 
Most likely only you will know if you are wearing historically accurate drawers. I think they are romantically beautiful and quite comfortable. I most recommend wearing "open drawers" with your period gown to make life easier when nature calls. When cut properly they cover fully and you are not exposed in any way. Make them of a light weight white cotton, a bleached muslin works perfectly and can be quite affordable.  (Drawers were always made from white cotton)
 

1882-83 Catalog of Domestic fashions

1884 Jordan Marsh Catalog

1883 Butterick Pattern Catalog

  
 

 

Chemise:
 
You should always wear a garment beneath your corset and a soft light white cotton chemise is perfect! Yes, you can use a light weight spaghetti strapped tank top temporarily... but a real chemise is so much more beautiful. (Chemises were always made from white cotton)
 

1881-1882 B. Altman Catalog

1883 Butterick Pattern Catalog

1883 Butterick Pattern Catalog

1884 Jordan Marsh Catalog
 

 

Combinations:
 
Of white cotton, in two variations:
  • The type which combines the chemise and drawers and is worn beneath the corset
  • The type which combines the corset cover and petticoat and is worn over the corset

Either one, they were very popular and reduced the amount of fabric and closures at the waist line. Most reenactors I know prefer to wear the drawers and chemise combo for comfort and modesty (when dressing into your clothing at an event)
 

1883 Butterick Pattern Catalog

1882-83 Catalog of Domestic fashions

1883 Butterick Pattern Catalog

  
 

 

Corsets:
 
 
 

1881-1882 B. Altman Catalog

1882-83 Catalog of Domestic fashions

1884 Jordan Marsh Catalog

  
 

 

Bustle or Tournure:
 
 
 

1883 Butterick Pattern Catalog

1884 Jordan Marsh Catalog

    
 

 

Petticoats:
 
Usually of white cotton though other colors and fabrics were not uncommon. It is best to start with a white cotton one, it is the most useful. Hem the petticoat at floor length while standing barefoot. Then whatever size heel you wear will be the distance off the floor your hem will be.

A plain skirt with a ruffle at the bottom and a bit more fullness at the back is perfect. If you like, trimming it up with pintucks, insertion lace and eyelet or lace trim just makes it more lovely. There are some elaborate petticoats with removeable trains and such but the basic is always the most useful.

 
 

1882-83

Catalog of Domestic fashions

    

1883

Butterick Pattern Catalog

 

1881-1882

B. Altman Catalog

  

1883

Butterick Pattern Catalog

1883

Butterick Pattern Catalog
 

 

Corset Cover:
 
Of white cotton with some form of lace trim around the neckline ideally. Very few reenactors wear them because nowadays we commonly line our garments and have stable fabric dyes. The Victorians had unstable fabric dyes prone to bleeding and  rough insides on their garments which could rub and damage undergarments . The corset cover served the purpose of protecting both the corset from the bodice and the bodice from the corset. Wear and tear which would naturally occur with the bodies' movement can be most destructive.
 

1881-1882 B. Altman Catalog

1883

Butterick Pattern Catalog

1884 Jordan Marsh Catalog

  
 
Common Day Dresses of the time
 
       

 

All images in this section are from the Butterick Pattern Catalog Spring and Summer of 1883

 
       
       
       
 

 
Formal & Ball Gowns
       
       
       
       
Dolmans, Jackets, Coats, Shawls & Wraps
       

All images in this section are from the Butterick Pattern Catalog Spring and Summer of 1883
       
       
Swimsuits

Butterick Pattern Catalog

Spring and Summer of 1883

Butterick Pattern Catalog

Spring and Summer of 1883

Butterick Pattern Catalog

Spring and Summer of 1883

 

  
       

Removable collars

 (to change the look of a bodice)

1881-1882 Fall and Winter

B. Altman Catalog

      
       
 
Hats
       
       
 
Hairstyling
       
       
 
Hair Accessories

1881-1882 Fall and Winter

B. Altman Catalog

      
       
 
 
Parasols
       
       
 
Shoes

1881-1882 B. Altman Catalog

      
       
 
 
Jewelry

1881-1882 B. Altman Catalog

      
       
 
 
Purses & Muffs

1881-1882 B. Altman Catalog

Butterick Pattern Catalog

Spring and Summer of 1883

    
       
 
 
 
 
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