Proper silhouettes would go a long way.

And I echo Claudia: PEGGED PANTS!!!!!!!

I just got new pants...can someone show me, or point me to a picture of, pegged pants? Is is something i can do with the pants i purchased?

no visible hoop lines would make me happy

I know I suffer from WHL, but my material is thin and it's so damn hot I just can't fathom wearing yet another layer. I'm using my fan constantly as it is. Maybe I should make a hoop with ruffles out of thicker fabric.

And speaking of gloves...

*Warning: blatant self-promotion dead ahead.*

I will again be selling hand-knit mitts, snoods and shawls during workshops. I can also take commissions if you want something specific or a color to match your costume. I even have some vintage patterns to work from of interested. Otherwise all designs are my own.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled rant. Thank you.

It's my understanding that blouse/skirt combos are period but they need to be done right (with appropriate shawl or jacket and accessories). I wear a skirt/blouse/zouve combo. I have a feeling it might be a little more American than English, but I have plans to make a matching bodice sometime in the future.

Yes, Pamela, but this is the "Snobs Tribe" where all of our wishes magically come true if we gripe about it enough. :-)

"The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is an authentic re-creation of 19th-century London with all the color, warmth, and merriment of Christmas during the time of Charles Dickens (1840–1860)" - from the costume approval section on the website.

We have to remember none of Dickens fair is holding to just one year- just like characters do not have to hold a strict book timeline with their acting during the day. The costuming is a range of dates and some of those styles that are mid- century are approvable and appropriate to Dickens fair because we are doing a range of years. Dickens books themselves ranged over different fashionable ideals.

Yes the swiss waists and zouave jackets come into fashion later but they did emerge within the period we are portraying. I personally would hate "everyone" to be going around in the same style dress of matching bodice & skirt. Different people would have worn different styles based on their class, age, ability to afford new fashions, or if they were "ahead of their time" style wise. New fashions emerge from somewhere... No you can't have people going around in elliptical hoops or bustles but we can maintain historical accuracy incorporating a range of years.

I personally want to see more Garabaldi blouses which are 1860s - and with decoration on them, or even, gasp, colors. I like the blouse/jacket look. I even think Liz might be encouraging them but I didn't get to take her class this year so I could be mistaken. Also I'd like to see more beautifully decorated chemisettes within necklines of tailored bodices. Bodices that went up directly up to the neckline weren't the only ones worn. As I go through fashion plates I am amazed at the variations. Almost anything I can think up they did!

As for it being an easier design, yes if you can get a new person into an appropriate blouse, skirt, short cape or shawl, & bonnet. Then they are much further along the path to looking like a Victorian lady. It is easier to get a good "fit" on these things without spending a lot of time and/or money on altering or tailoring a well fit bodice.

You are exactly right that hoop lines showed in period photos (but that is NOT the look Liz Martin is going for theatrically).

Agreed totally on the period hair styles. If anyone hasn't taken Bridget's period hair class I highly recommend it. I have fairly thick hair to my butt and I'm still buying fake hair to plump up my braids to look more like period hair. Yes they wore hair pieces! Very few of us are blessed with hair as thick or long as Amy Liebert.

Steps off soap box.

Taking Miss Carrie's idea and running with it:
*blatent self-promotion* I make some really *great* ribbon hoops. Not cheap, but they have the right look!