DON'T FORGET THE LADIES!

Female reenactors have a wide variety of impressions they can choose from. However, keep in mind that women were taken care of first by their fathers then by their husbands. Do not pick an impression wealthier than your gentleman is portraying. Cottons and lightweight wools are suggested for ladies' day wear, saving the silks and satins for ball gowns and evening wear. It is not uncommon for ladies to start this hobby with one serviceable day dress with underpinnings. Unlike the men, women have the luxury of adding to their wardrobe a little at a time as money or time allows. The following paragraphs are a brief summary of some of the more popular styles of dress.

The most common outfit among lady reenactors is the hoop day dress. Ranging from simple to ornate, these dresses are supported by hoops that usually have 3 to 6 bones depending on the wearer. Used for shopping or visiting, the day dress is the backbone of a ladies wardrobe. The outfit should be worn with a hat and gloves when you're out on promenade, but change these accessories and the day dress can be worn to most outdoor, evening socials and dances.

Also popular is the camp dress, especially with the ladies who stay in authentic camp. The camp dress has a long straight skirt reaching the ankles and is worn without hoops. Coupled with a long apron, the camp dress completes an authentic outfit that makes cooking or washing in the camps easier and less dangerous.

The ball gown is by far the favorite outfit of the ladies who enjoy dressing in their "finery". It is constructed of satins and silks and is usually very ornate with trims of lace, braid, and beading. The dress should be worn to evening events with the hair uncovered except for ribbons or flowers.

Underneath each of the outfits described above, several layers of undergarments are worn. The most common are the chemise, corset, petticoats, drawers, and stockings. Made of lightweight cotton, the undergarments are designed to protect the dresses from the perspiration of the skin as well as to provide cover for the wearer underneath the hoops.