Lectures and Presentations

Introduction
The Scene is set / a few basics
Layers
Dressing up
Ready to go to the tea

Layer by Layer  How Women Dressed in the 1860s

presented November 2, 2003 at the annual Victorian Tea
by the Stamford Historical Society and Jane Sabatelli

III: Dressing up

The tea visiting dress
A hidden system of metal stays plus numerous hooks and eyes hold the tea bodice in place. Many times, ornamental buttons were just for looks. A hidden system of metal stays plus numerous hooks and eyes hold the tea bodice in place. Many times, ornamental buttons were just for looks.
A hidden system of metal stays plus numerous hooks and eyes hold the tea bodice in place.
Many times, ornamental buttons were just for looks.
The dress bodice is hooked to the skirt's waist band to make it appear to be one piece. Large bow sashes were worn in front instead of the back.
The dress bodice is hooked to the skirt's waist band to make it appear to be one piece. The large bow sash was worn in front
instead of the back.
Bonnets and gloves
A lace day cap was proper indoor head gear worn by married women and stayed on for the entire day. An assortment of head gear.
A lace day cap was proper indoor head gear worn by married women
and stayed on for the entire day.		 A proper full bonnet with lace and flowers inside the brim and ostrich feathers on the outside, styled as of the 1860s. Gloves were stretched first, using glove stretchers, and were worn on top of lace mitts when leaving home.
A lace breakfast cap with long lace sides called lappets. The back view of a lace neck curtain called a bavolet, which covered the nape of the neck on a straw bonnet. A small new fashion bonnet of the 1870s called a fancheon.
A lace breakfast cap with long lace sides called lappets. The back view of a lace neck curtain called a bavolet, which covered the nape of the neck on a straw bonnet. A small new fashion bonnet of the 1870s called a fancheon. A proper full bonnet with lace and flowers inside the brim, and ostrich feathers on the outside, styled as of the 1860s. Gloves were stretched first, using glove stretchers, and were worn on top of lace mitts when leaving home.

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Jane Sabatelli
Civil War Exhibit 2003

Photos © Nancy Louth, Stamford Historical Society (1)
© Stamford Historical Society

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