Some Costume Ideas
With links to pictures of children from the 1890s
I'll continue to add links to this page as I find them, so check back. 


As soon as you have your costume, wear it to a rehearsal, so I can take a photograph and up load it to the website.  We need to take a publicity picture ASAP.  Those who have costumes ready will be the ones in the picture. 
You'll have the winter holidays to work on the costumes, but by November you should at least be sending your daughters to class in a rehearsal skirt.
Please consider making your life less stressful and do costumes early.


I hope that by looking at the pictures of children from the time period, that you'll realize that you may already have clothing in your closets or your children's closet that will work.  If not, these pictures should give you an idea what to look for at a thrift store. 

Remember the kids were from many social economic backgrounds.  Variety is nice. 



Colors
Although we are used to looking at black and white and sepia photos from the time period.  Humans prefer color if they can get it.  Aniline dies were created in the 1890s, and so it is was also known as the "Mauve Decade" because of the colors.  Look at this page to see the some of the colors from Mary Chamberlain’s shoes from the 1890s. 

Necklines
High for day time.  The play is set in the daytime.
Lower for evening.  The vaudeville performers may use evening wear in a couple of numbers.

Remember the show is set in May which is hot in Texas.
  • Yet, long sleeves and stockings were common to cover flesh especially for older children. 
  • Children would NOT have dressed like small adults for school. 
  • Skirts would NOT have touched the floor.  They needed to be able to walk to school, work, and play outdoors without getting their hems dirty.  (The kids maybe climbing stairs, so above the ankles to mid-calf would be safest and perfectly appropriate for the time.  See bottom picture.)


Shoes in general

Button and slip-on shoes and ankle boots, but buckles weren't very common in this period.

Girls Shoes 

Simple soft ballet shoes work great.  Sound great on a noisy stage, easy to dance in.  Not as loud, and many people already have them, or could use them.  And they are available at Wal-Mart.  Usually only black, pink, or white are available at Wal-Mart.  While black is fine, the pink ones should be died to keep from looking too much like "pink ballet shoes."  In a pinch I've also spray painted them! 

Boys Shoes

School boys may be barefoot or wearing black or brown ankle boots.   Here is a picture.
There is a pair of poity-toed, lace-up men's shoes on this page.
Here is a picture of a very common leather shoe worn by boys.
Boys might also have worn a plimsoll shoe, which is a dark cotton lace-up sneaker with a thin sole.


Socks
Don't wear socks if you aren't wearing shoes. 
Always wear socks with shoes.

Girls Legs

Note if barefoot it and wearing bloomers (pantaloons) it would be Ok to go without stockings.  But with shoes you really need to have on stockings.  I've found that thin trouser socks work well.  Note in the bottom picture that the girls stockings often match their costumes. 

Note skirt length:  Younger girls wore skirts to just below their knees. The skirts got longer as the girls got older, by high school graduation they reached the floor.

Boys Legs

Socks were generally black in color. 

Hair
After being cast, don't make changes to your hair without consulting the directors first!

Girls
Pulled back and out of their face but can remain hanging down the back.
Great site for historical photos and info about womans hair.  Also notice the clothing.
Color natural

Boys
Out of eyes.
Color natural.

Generally shorter as the boys got older.


The oldest children may look more like the adults if you like, but I would steer away from larger bustles, unless called for in the Vaudeville.


BOYS
  • For boys think:  no pockets and high waists, in fact check out the women's department or raid mom's closet.  Note the high waist and limited pockets on this overalls pattern
  • Think colors and even plaids. Denim that we all have and love wasn't as common.
  • Loose fitting not tight.
  • Leather and canvas suspenders.  Button, sewn in, and clip-on suspenders were very common.
  • Knee length pants were common.  But full length can be seen also.



Fabrics to avoid for the School Children
  • Velvet:  Because it is summer
  • Satin: Because they are dressed for school and play
  • Silk:  Because they are dressed school and play
  • Taffeta:  Because they are dressed school and play
  • Blue jean denim:  Wasn't as common then.
  • WHITE
  • Day glow colors.
Fabrics for the School Children
  • Cotton prints
  • Gingham
  • Plaids
  • Stripes
  • Solids
  • Florals large and small.
  • BOYS:  Stripes, plaids, solids.
Fabric reproductions.  You can buy these on line, but after looking at them you should be able to feel more confident purchasing fabric locally or ready made clothing.

Note:  It was popular to dress children in dark blue, black, or brown; because it would show dirt less and cut down on washing.  That would make for a very boring stage picture though.


Hats

Hats were common, but please remember that the lighting in the theater comes from above, and hat brims cause shadows across the child's face which would be better to avoid.


Patterns and pictures

1889
Notice skirt lengths, stockings, colors, sleeve shapes, fullness of skirt, etc.


Make the Dorothy dress in a nice calico (floral print) and it would work also, but avoid blue and white gingham or your child will only look like Dorothy.

And another pattern, a little earlier, but would still work.
 

3 female 1 male from fashion plate of the period.


1900s dress avoid white
1900 dress (Please avoid too much white on stage.)

Original Butterick pattern dated 1898



Current McCalls Pattern:  sleeves on the outer dress from an earlier time period, but could still work.




1880s but would still work.
More pics:  http://www.shootingstarhistory.com/children.html

Current Simplicity patterns that would work:
Simplicity Pattern #9497 with sleeves.
Simplicity Pattern #4905.
Simplicity Pattern #5137.
Simplicity Pattern #5144.

More patterns mostly for adults.  Note mutton sleeves.

Children's patterns.  Note sailor suits for boys and girls will work for this time period also.

Whole page of links to children's clothing

Girls dress 1886 but avoid white on stage.
Pink and white cotton gingham girl's dress, round neck yoke with ruffle, c. 1899

Great plaid dress!

White cotton rose printed muslin girl's dress, pink cotton lining, c. 1906

Blue cotton boy's shirt, long sleeves, pink ribbon and lace trim, 1893-1895

More from the Wisconson museum

More info

Wikipedia artical on clothing of the 1890s mostly adult clothing.

Classic Pinafore popular for many decades.

Sailor suits were popular for boys and girls.

For pattern see "sporty dress for girls" on Marquise's site


Fancy shirt pattern for older girls could go with simple skirt.

Suit

Photo of Victorian School Children

More Victorian girls clothing from 1889

Pics from the UK but similar

More Victorian Children

Mostly adult costumes and hairstyles from painting and fashion plates of the period.



Pictures and ideas about finding costumes on EBAY

For those who are costume challenged.  Look through the info above, you may already have something in your closet that would work.  And just because we were asked to do so, you may also rent a costume from us for $50 + a $25 deposit, as long as our costumer knows by October 5th that you need this.  You'll still need to provide shoes if needed.

If you're not sure, bring it to a rehearsal.


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