Step back in time for a Charles Dickens era holiday event. McGregor’s Landing Event Center present Beggar’s Ball this Saturday, December 5th. Historical food and drink, live music and dancing will take place from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. at the McGregor’s Landing Event Center, 111 First Street, McGregor.

Casual or formal historical dress is encouraged. Cut the fingers off old gloves, throw on an old dress shirt, suspenders and an over coat or a skirt, shawl and make an apron from an old lace curtain and come on down to enjoy historical food and drink, live music and dancing. Admission is $10.00  advance reservations  call 563-873-2387 0r 3150.

How to Costume Out of Your Closet

MEN

Hats-made of felt or straw, worn in a varity of crown heights and brim widths, but brims not commonly wider than 4 inches.

Caps-Fur caps, railroad caps of striped denim (farmer, laborer, outdoor worker), Irish eight piece cap. Most working men’s hats were not styled, they had an open crown and a flat brim and assumed the dents and bumps of use.

Coats-Men’s suit coats most often were four button and can be created by adding a button above the top button on your coat; it was common for men to button only the top button.

Vests-Men’s vests were very much like men’s vests today and worn by men in all walks of life.

Shirts-One of the easiest ways to make a nineteenth century looking shirt is to take an old shirt and cut the collar off (do not cut off the collar band). This shirt with a vest would make a very convincing character of early Clayton County. A professional man would wear a modern white dress shirt.

Dress Trousers-Easily made by removing the belt loops and using suspenders with buttons and need not match the coat or vest.

Work Pants-Easily made from blue jeans, removing belt loops and using suspenders. Or use painters trousers and dye them brown (remove both back pockets).

Accessories-Suspenders. Neckties-wear tie as usual, but tie very short (can cut off narrow end) with tie tack in center of knot. A different necktie can be made by simply tying a wide or narrow ribbon around your collar in a big droopy bow. Sleeve Garters-use a wide band of elastic worn just above the elbow. Sleeve Stockings-Worn over your shirt sleeves to protect them from being soiled (from a wood-burning stove, printing press, writing with a dip pen, etc,). Easily made by cutting the sleeves off a dark shirt just above the elbow and pinning to the sleeve of the lighter shirt. Watch Chains-can be made from a lady’s chain necklace.

LADIES

Hats-Ladies did not appear in public without a head covering. Straw hats can be decorated with ribbon, netting, feathers. Old derby or top hats can also be decorated for a Victorian look. Bonnets or dust caps are good for day wear.

Day Dress-Should always be long sleeved and ankle length. Can lengthen a calf length skirt/dress by adding a ruffle or two. Long sleeved blouses with preferably a high collar, or lace blouses in subtle colors or small two color prints work well. Can add lace collars for a nice touch.  Wearing an apron was common.

Evening Dress-Old formals, bridesmaid and wedding dresses with full skirts can make wonderful evening dress. It would be the only proper time for a low neckline.

Coats-Blazers or jackets with waist taken in, shawls were commonly used in cool weather. Lace tablecloths, or a square of fabric can be used as a shawl. Most fur stoles, capes and some coats will look Victorian.

Accessories-Gloves. Small purses in a fancy bag shape were common and easily made by lacing a ribbon around the edge of a round doily lined with a piece of fabric. Petticoats-a lightweight skirt can double as a petticoat to fill out a skirt. Jewelry-small dangle earrings and necklaces, pins and broaches were worn in the center of the collar and on any jacket or coat. For evening wear, a ribbon around the neck with or without a pin was popular. Dark stockings.

Things to do:  visit thrift stores for inexpensive apparel, wear brown or black leather shoes, be careful of fragile antique clothing, visit the library for old pictures of clothing, ladies wear their hair up.

Not to do:  modern ball caps, tennis shoes, short sleeved shirts, leather hats, modern cowboy hats.