General challenge - discussion, recommendations and advice

[Katie]

Our general challenge is to: read a Victorian book while wearing something Victorian/Victorian-esque.

Tell us what your plans are for this challenge! And if you want advice or have questions or great links to share, please do so.

[Lana]

Since I have no item of clothing that even remotely resembles anything Victorian-esque, I think I'll go with some kind of a hairstyle. There's an interesting channel on YouTube called Loepsie. The girl is called Lucy and she does all kinds of hairstyles from different time periods. She has videos on Jane Eyre hairstyle and some of queen Victoria's hair and make up styles as well.
I do have some cameo earrings though that look like they're from the Victorian era, that might do too.

[Becky]

Realistically I'll probably wear my Jane Eyre shirt. However, as someone with intermediate sewing skills I keep eyeing 1870s bustle overskirt patterns...

[Angela]

I found some cute Victorian inspired skirts on Amazon. I think I’m going to get one of those.

[[deleted user]]

I have several waistcoats. I will wear the most Victorian looking.

[Martha]

I've knit some shawlettes and will wear one of those.

[Melissa]

I would love to do this, but I don't have any Victorian clothes. I might order this gorgeous Jane Eyre t-shirt.

https://outofprint.com/collections/ja...

[Sobriquet]

I'm planning on wearing Eau de Cologne 4711

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/4...

It's mentioned in 'How to be a Victorian' Ruth Goodman writes that "when Victoria ascended the throne, the dominant scent, or at least the one most advertised, was eau de cologne"

It was worn by both men and women, although in the eighteenth century it was more popular with men; Beau Brummel apparently used it in excess. The bottle and label design are traditional I think so a bottle now will look just the same as the one on a Victorian person's dressing table would have done.

[Kristin]

I ordered a Victorian blouse and skirt from Amazon. I plan to use it for the Halloween party our library has as well. But not this year; next year! I will post a picture on Instagram in October since I don't have a Youtube channel.

[Janice]

I'm going to have my daughter give me a Victorian hairstyle and also wear my cameo necklace. :)

[Gia]

I have a Victorian-style top that I'll wear with a fringed shawl.

[Jill]

I don’t cosplay, so I just posted a pic of Queen Victoria’s favorite tea and biscuit on my IG - 87lovej

[Stina]

It's not at all historically accurate, but I'll be wearing some of my steampunk attire. Probably around the time of Mile Hi Con, since it's gone virtual this year and there will be no absinthe parties at the con hotel. My Twitter profile pic @chrislpontius shows me in one of my outfits at an AnomalyCon, and I'll be sure to post some pics this month either there or in a BookTube vlog.

[Bonnie]

I am fortunate to have some Victorian family jewelry. My dear Mom passed it down to me. She received it from my Grandma, her Mom. My Grandma was born 1906 and my Grandfather was born 1888, so what they had from their parents goes way back in time. My Grandma received some jewelry from my Great Grandma’s and likely Great Great Grandma’s. I even have an old quilt that my Great Grandma made so I could wrap up in that while I read if only it would get cold here inSouthern California. I realize that my jewelry may or may not actually be jewelry made in England and most likely it’s American as my ancestors came over way to far back on the Mayflower. The last to arrive from abroad was my Great Great Grandfather from Ireland. Still I hope it counts.