1. It is suggested that women wear a simple dress of homespun cotton or wool. Nicer dresses made of silks or sheer fabrics can be added later on after you have obtained your basic wardrobe. A ballgown is an advanced item and is not necessary unless you plan on attending many balls. In most cases, a nicer day dress can be fancied up for use at a more formal occasion buy the addition of a nicer collar and cuffs.. Your everyday or work dress should have the following features:
-Hook and eyes, wood or bone buttons or documented substitute buttons such as persimmon seed buttons, etc. Buttonholes should be hand stitched.
-Sleeves should be gathered bishop sleeves or coat sleeves with dropped shoulders. -Gathered bodice set on a waistband. This can also be stitched directly to the skirt with piping for added strength. -Piping at the armsyce, shoulder seams and waistband. Piping should be the same material as your dress. -Wool hem tape and an inside hem facing are nice, functional touches but are not required. -Lining the bodice on a workdress is not required but is an additional layer of protection between your body oils and your dress.
2. Underpinnings should include a corset or work stay, chemise and drawers. A corded petticoat or conservative hoop is suggested. Drawers can be either closed or split-crotch..or none at all! It is a matter of personal preference.
3. White blouse and skirt combination are not appropriate for the time. Zouave jackets and Girabaldi blouses were worn by the YOUNG (meaning under 25) and fashionable, they are not appropriate for those of us who have "crossed the Rubicon of 30."
4. Dresses should have white collars, cuffs are optional. White neckerchiefs are also appropriate for the working impression.
5. Hair should be parted in the middle and pulled back into a bun or braid. Modern bangs should also be pulled back and confined. Fine hairnets also can assist in confining hair.
6. The most common bonnet for the working impression is the slat bonnet, made of homespun material. Not only does it hide a multitude of hair sins but it also protects the face from the wind and sun. For nicer occasions you may wear a straw, corded or drawn bonnet.
7. Pinner aprons should be of homespun or lightweight wool.
8. White or off-white over the knee stockings are preferable. You may garter them with flat-buckle garters. Elastic pony-tail holder style garters are not period correct and hurt like the dickens! Shoes should be low heel, black boots or brogans.
9. Please have period eyewear frames and/or contacts. No sunglasses or plastic frames, please.
GIRLS
10. Should be dressed in age appropriate dresses of fan front or gathered yoke bodices, made from homespun, calico or wool. Underpinnings of white cotton or flannel are suggested.
11. White knee socks or tights, and square toed boots or Mary Janes are suggested for shoes.
12. The only exception to the white blouse/skirt combos would be for teenage girls (early teens) with an appropriate jacket over it.
BOYS
13. Should be dressed in age appropriate button fly pants, braces, homespun, calico or fine white cotton shirts, with a vest and/or sack coat.
14. Black square toed boots with white cotton or wool socks should be their footwear.
INFANTS/TODDLERS
15. Should be dressed in drawstring or boat neck gowns that are very long.
MEN
16. Cotton, linen or wool button fly pants and braces.
17. Shirts should be of homespun, calico, white fine cotton or linen, and vests/waistcoats.
18. Coats should be frock or sack made from wool, linen or heavy cotton.
